Everybody has different traditions; good, bad and just bizarre. In fact I just read that in Estonia one of their oldest holiday traditions is the "Christmas Eve Sauna" - Yes nothing says Merry Christmas like sitting naked and covered in sweat in a 100+ degree box with your family and friends.
We've done a lot of different things over the years - reading the Christmas story, caroling, christmas decorations, christmas cookies etc. etc. For as long as I can remember on Christmas Eve we would be allowed to open one present - ALWAYS pajamas. Here it is, the one tradition I will cling to for as long as I'm alive. I cannot part with those pajamas. So, in the even that I do get married I have a brief message to share with my dear future wife - Do NOT deny me Christmas pajamas. The consequences will not be something you want to face.
Just kidding.
No, but seriously.
This year we added something new to the traditions - we invited some older individuals from the ward to join us for Christmas Eve dinner.
I am ashamed to say that the thought never crossed my mind in the days leading up to Christmas that there might be people in the ward who would be spending the holiday season alone. Luckily, Mom & Dad once again taught us a lesson (something that seems to happen regularly around here) and we had several people join us for dinner. It was nothing short of the best Christmas Eve dinner I have been a part of. Great food and wonderful company.
And to dispel the thought that the older generations cannot relate to todays youth, let me provide you these images :
You've seen nothing till you witness senior citizens killin' it on the Wii. No busted hips or other major injuries. In fact Sister Hayes asked me to take her next week to go buy a Wii for herself so she can play it in the rest home she lives at.
To see the happiness of everyone and to hear the sincere gratitude at the end of the evening was the best Christmas gift I could have ever gotten.
It was one of those special moments where you feel that you got more out of the "service" than anyone else .
It was one of those special moments where you feel that you got more out of the "service" than anyone else .
This is one tradition that we have decided will be sticking around for years to come.
3 comments:
I never thought about how great a wii could be in a nursing home. There are so many easy games, wii play for instance that would be perfect for less mobile people.
fun! Christmas Eve pajamas is a favorite at my house too and luckily at Jonny's so there won't be any fight over whether to keep them or not! My mom forgot to do it on Christmas Eve this year she was sooo sad, it was kind of funny.
Wish we were there to play the Wii with you guys too!!! Love ya!
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