Throwback Thursday: December memories? #TBT

[#1]

It's Thursday!

I grew up in Iceland and my parents would count down to Christmas starting with the first Sunday in advent. She would make a wreath, similar to the one in this picture, with 4 candles. On the first Sunday in advent, the first candle is lit. On the second Sunday, 2 candles are lit, etc.

Sooooo, tell us about some December memories that you have?

Let’s make it a great Thursday!
KGM

[Jimmy Seddon]

I grew up with an advent wreath as well.  We also had advent calendars, which was a simple 24 panel package with a small chocolate behind each panel starting on December 1st and going all the way to the 24th.

[Barbara Szczesniak]

We drove the 300 miles over the river and through the woods to my grandmother's house for Christmas. She had 2 bedrooms: my parents slept in 1, while my older sister slept with my grandmother in hers. The remaining 5 of us slept in the living room, where there was 1 couch, 1 recliner, 2 chairs with an ottoman in from of them. 1 person always had to sleep on the floor.

When December rolled around, we started calling dibs on the couch—"I have the couch the first night. I have the couch the second night." and so on. I think there was an understanding that you could only have 1 night.

This ritual is something I remember fondly now. I'm sure we didn't enjoy it at the time, and I vaguely recall my mom limiting it to starting when we about an hour from arriving.

[Kurt Wallinger]

We have an advent wreath in our house now.

[John Funk]

My parents owned a florist when I was young, so December always had the aroma of fresh cut trees, wreaths, garlands, etc. We certainly celebrated with an Advent Wreath and lighting the candle each Sunday. My birthday is in the middle of the month also, so lots to celebrate.  :-)

[Amanda Barber]

One of my favorite childhood memories is when my grandpa would show up as Santa Claus at our family gathering. We always got together on Christmas Eve and we'd leave late in the evening to go visit a local holiday lights display. When we came back, "Santa" would be there. 💜

Visiting the holiday lights display remains one of my favorite traditions to do with my own family. 

We've managed to take a goofy picture at this house many years. 

Hopefully the weather warms up a bit so we can go walk through (the best way to view!)

[Ted Nieblas]

We used to have 3 or 4 different Christmases at home, grandparents, and my aunts house, and sometimes at my sisters. I don't miss those days. Now my kids come to our house!

[Natalie Beiler]

What a lovely advent wreath! We do the same at church each year.

Fond Christmas memories from my childhood include being allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve after church, singing carols around our old piano, reading the Biblical accounts of Jesus' birth, seeing a stocking filled with small treats (always some Lifesaver candies and an orange) on Christmas morning and watching Christmas movies.

[Ram Kumar Aravindakshan _Adaptavist_]

I would wait for December... I would have my birthday on one day and the following day would be my father's birthday. So to save cost we would end up celebrating it on one day. :D

[vikram]

Hi @Kristján Geir Mathiesen 

Good memories,

we used to celebrate in our apartment all together from starting December first sunday to christmas and have a big party to all the apartment people before christmas. 

vikram P 

[Tuncay Senturk]

I don't have specific December memories, but I know that many people cherish this time of year. Some enjoy decorating their homes, while others go on holiday for winter activities, and I was always jealous of them. Your tradition of lighting candles each Sunday in Advent sounds like the most creative and practical way I've heard.

[Stephen_Lugton]

Growing up in New Zealand I remember the Pohutukawa flowers blooming in December and knowing Christmas was coming

When we moved to the UK I didn't believe it was Christmas because it was cold and there were no red flowers!

[Trudy Claspill]

One of my favorite Christmas memories is actually a year when we were really broke. 

Our parents gave each of us kids a bit of money to buy a present for each other. We met on the sly and decided to get each others something small and then pool our money to get something for our folks.

We couldn't afford a Christmas tree, but we got a seedling from the plant store and put it on top of the pedestal t.v. We hung garlands and lights around the pedestal t.v. and made tiny ornaments for the seedling.

It was a sparse holiday, but in my opinion it was one of the best holidays we ever had.

[Tomislav Tobijas _Koios_]

You just reminded me that I might start slowly decorating my house in the Christmas spirit 🎄

When it comes to December memories, the best ones from my sister and I were little and there was a lot of snow outside so we would go sledding on a nearby hill and throw ourselves at the snow ❄️

As for wreath, this is like a must-have thing at almost every house in Croatia. 😅
My mum is the creative one, so there is a new wreath design every year. I'm heading home in a couple of weeks so I'm going to see what was the inspiration for this year's design.

[Ojase Emmanuval]

December is often considered the shortest month of the year in terms of work, with each day bringing a sense of excitement as we approach the final shutdown day.

[Vronik]

Hello everyone

The most beautiful memory I have of Christmas is the excitement with which my mother decorated the whole house and put a lot of effort into preparing the Christmas Eve meal. For her, it was the big day in December and that custom has remained established in the family and I make sure that it continues to be passed on to the next generations.

Merry Christmas to all

Regards

[Laurie Sciutti]

My mom made an advent calendar for my sister and me as kids that is a green felt Christmas tree with 24 pockets that each contain a felt ornament that we would hang on the tree each day. It was so special and even more so now that my mom has passed. My sis and I were talking about it the other day (neither of us know where it is) so we're on a mission to scour Dad's home to find it. If we do, I will post a picture of it ~ it's pretty awesome. Thank you for this TBT, @Kristján Geir Mathiesen !

[Rishabh Jhawar]

I remember a similar count down calendar for the Dec month.

During Christmas, malls, shopping centers, and some streets are all decorated with festive themes. I also remember watching the Mr. Bean episode on Christmas, where he played with a cradle.