Oh, Christmas memories! “Up on the Housetop” came on the radio and I caught myself singing along. And just like that I was in the backseat of the family car snapping my fingers to the “click, click, click” of reindeer hooves while Dad led the singing from behind the steering wheel.
We sang everywhere we went in the month of December when I was growing up. My brothers and I would beg Dad to sing another one–Frosty, Rudolph and down through the chimney came old Saint Nick! But here’s the best part–Dad would make up lyrics using our names.
“Up on the Housetop” usually includes stockings for Nell and Bill, but on our travels there were also presents for Dave, Dan, Sally (his nickname for me) and Nancy Anne (my mom). I don’t remember exactly how the lyrics went with my name, but I do remember mom’s included, “Next comes the stocking of Nancy Anne, she bakes biscuits in a pan.”
And we would laugh, and laugh and laugh. Because being called out by name in a song is one of the most special feelings there is.
In our holiday travels, I’m sure there was grumbling and someone probably said, “he’s touching me!” at least once. But here’s what I remember: JOY. A great upwelling and overflowing of joy as we sang on the way to buy presents at the mall or eat turkey with the cousins. Joy in knowing that we were beloved, treasured and sung about.
Do you have a favorite Christmas memory that brings tears to your eyes and a lump to your throat? Share it.
Meet Sarah
Sounds so much like my family. 🙂 My parents were both artsy and they made their own Christmas decorations and ornaments (also elaborate Halloween costumes, blown Easter eggs, and on and on). A family tradition was a glass ornament with one’s name on it (even pets): my dad would paint it on with glue, then glitter. We moved many times (my dad was an air force pilot) so over the years all the ornaments ended up broken…except mine. It’s 58 years old this Christmas, and I treasure it.
I’ll have to dig out the princess and angel Halloween costume photos–my mom was amazing! Love that you still have your ornament. I have several my parents made–though they are less fragile! Wood and fabric, mostly. Oh, and the amazing stocking my mom made me!
Ironic you should write about this today. Wednesday as I was going through the drive through at the bank, this song came on the radio. I turned it way up so my favorite teller, Gwen, could hear it, telling her about making up verses for each of my kids when they were small. But I had forgotten the verse about me and the “biscuits in a pan.” Thanks for reminding me of that verse and nudging me to search for good memories. BTW: your “sing it again” (over and over) song was Jingle Bell Rock! The thing I remember that was so good from Christmas 60+ years ago, is going to Granny Wolfe’s “in the country” to cut a fresh cedar tree. So hard to decorate, but what a wonderful aroma!
Maybe that’s why Jingle Bell Rock grates on me a little now! ; )
We always piled into the car and drove all around the city (Baltimore) looking at the Christmas lights. Some were brilliant, some were amazingly garish, some were creative, some were just plain beautiful. We admired, and we criticized, and we had a wonderful time together.
Do they put up Christmas lights where you are now?