My favorite time of the year is the week of Thanksgiving until the few days after New Year with Christmas leading the way! When the kids were little I would plan entire treasure hunts with clues for them to find their “big gift.” It was a maze of riddles and clues that led them all over the house until they found “the big gift.” Easter was a fun time for this tradition with candy and eventually they grew out of the hunting phase.
I was chatting (i.e. texting and seeing who responded) with the kids and Kati reminded me of one I had forgotten. We would create a paper chain, the kind you make in pre-school, with different things inside it, “Disney trip” or “shopping spree” and the kids would take these off the tree and read the gift.
Another fun memory was Bubba Claus, Ole St. Nick’s cousin from the south. Every year I would dress up like Santa’s redneck cousin and visit on Christmas Eve. I brought moonpies and soda along with a little gift for the children. They knew it was me, but always played along. I would come into the room after Bubba left and be like the old Superman show, “I must have missed him again…”
Playing Bubba for my kids evolved from a Hannah Montana wig to a full on costume. We made up songs (all on the fly, about 15 minutes prior to appearance). These were some of my favorite times!
Writing this I realize a few things, (1) I wish I was my kid (2) they were spoiled (3) I will do the same for my grandkids!
I hope this can continue for generations to come. I hope my kids look back and remember with fondness the little traditions and create ones of their own. With age and other life factors, these traditions have changed, but never forgotten!
Alex Putman 