AquaEyes11010
Expert Member
My mother's side is German (my mother was the first generation born here) and what was always "normal" to me regarding the tree was buying a live one sometime in mid-December, keeping it outside with the base in water, and bringing it in on Dec 24th. We'd decorate it when we got home from school, and the presents would be brought out and placed underneath. Then we'd all walk to my maternal grandmother's house for dinner, and then open the presents there (many signed "from Santa") before dessert. My grandmother's tree was also not brought in and decorated until that night, before we arrived. After dessert and coffee, we'd walk back home and open the presents and then go to bed.
In the morning, we'd open our "stocking stuffers" which were often signed "from Santa." That's also when we'd see the "evidence" of Santa's visit -- half-eaten cookies on a dish. Then we'd get ready and go with our father to his sister's house and have dinner with my father's side of the family (my father is first-generation English/Scottish) on the 25th, and open presents there. After leaving my aunt's house, we'd go back home (when my parents were still married), or to my father's (after the divorce) and open more presents (from him) there.
Around the time I was beginning to question the existence of Santa Claus (before my parents divorced), I asked "Why does Santa come to Grandma's house early on Christmas Eve?" My great-grandmother said that because Santa Claus was German (and, according to her, the best parts of the holiday were German traditions -- of course...haha), he came to the German families first.
We kept the tree up until sometime after New Year's -- I'm thinking the time was around Little Christmas, but we didn't celebrate that or any other religious aspect of Christmas. I think it was more about keeping it up until it started becoming "annoying" from losing too many needles, which was around two weeks and coincidentally fit approximately into the 12 Days of Christmas. Some things were simply kept as tradition without actually knowing "why" we did them.
I have a strong memory of being very affected by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" which was among the songs played at my grandmother's house. I understood the legend of the birth of Jesus, but it was never emphasized that he was the "son of god" or whatever -- just the story. To me, what made the song sad was that a baby was born, and all these people came by to bring expensive presents. The little drummer boy was very poor, and had no money for gifts, but wanted to give something. All he could give was a song, and he hoped it would be enough. I remember saying (as a child) that he was afraid he'd be teased for not having money, but in the end, it was his gift of a song that was the only thing which made the baby smile. It still makes my eyes water when I hear it.
In the morning, we'd open our "stocking stuffers" which were often signed "from Santa." That's also when we'd see the "evidence" of Santa's visit -- half-eaten cookies on a dish. Then we'd get ready and go with our father to his sister's house and have dinner with my father's side of the family (my father is first-generation English/Scottish) on the 25th, and open presents there. After leaving my aunt's house, we'd go back home (when my parents were still married), or to my father's (after the divorce) and open more presents (from him) there.
Around the time I was beginning to question the existence of Santa Claus (before my parents divorced), I asked "Why does Santa come to Grandma's house early on Christmas Eve?" My great-grandmother said that because Santa Claus was German (and, according to her, the best parts of the holiday were German traditions -- of course...haha), he came to the German families first.
We kept the tree up until sometime after New Year's -- I'm thinking the time was around Little Christmas, but we didn't celebrate that or any other religious aspect of Christmas. I think it was more about keeping it up until it started becoming "annoying" from losing too many needles, which was around two weeks and coincidentally fit approximately into the 12 Days of Christmas. Some things were simply kept as tradition without actually knowing "why" we did them.
I have a strong memory of being very affected by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" which was among the songs played at my grandmother's house. I understood the legend of the birth of Jesus, but it was never emphasized that he was the "son of god" or whatever -- just the story. To me, what made the song sad was that a baby was born, and all these people came by to bring expensive presents. The little drummer boy was very poor, and had no money for gifts, but wanted to give something. All he could give was a song, and he hoped it would be enough. I remember saying (as a child) that he was afraid he'd be teased for not having money, but in the end, it was his gift of a song that was the only thing which made the baby smile. It still makes my eyes water when I hear it.
