Thirty eight days. Just 38 days until Christmas. Yes yes I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But it's not too soon to start planning for your holiday blog posts! And I can help you out in that department. It just so happens that I know a blogger who has already been hard at work coming up with an Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) for you to write about. Thomas has come up with a list of 24 Christmas themes (OK, a few of them are mine) that are sure to have you remembering Christmases past.I must confess that Thomas and I have been emailing back and forth on this project for a couple weeks now. I'm so excited about it that I've already started writing some of my blog posts! (Three to be exact ;-) And with each and every one I've broken out in smiles and tears. I'm looking forward to sharing my personal holiday memories with you as well as Polish traditions, and stories about Detroit at Christmas. I'm sure hoping that my fellow Genea-Bloggers will seriously think about joining in. It's sort of like a 24-day meme! I'd like nothing better than to read about your personal memories of Christmas or Hanukkah as the case may be. And I'd like to learn about New England Christmas traditions, and those down in Dixie, San Diego, the Pacific Northwest and Kosciusko County too! And I'd really like to learn about your ethnic Christmas traditions. I'll bet you all have some good ones! Most of all, I'd just like to hear your stories about Christmas when you were a kid, wherever you were and whoever you were with. And don't forget to share your photos too!
By the time I get done writing up my advent calendar of Christmas memories (complete with photos), I'll be all set to create a remembrance book. It doesn't cost much these days to publish a book that you can leave to your children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. It would make a wonderful gift to give your loved ones for Christmas next year. Think about it, but not too long. The holidays are right around the corner and things get busy and time gets short. It's not too soon to start writing those Christmas memory blog posts (and digging up those adorable photos of you with Santa ;-)
Here's the list. Now head on down memory lane…
December 1 - The Christmas Tree
Did you have a real tree or was it artificial? How big was the tree? Who decorated the tree?
December 2 - Christmas Tree Ornaments
Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries? Did your family make ornaments?
December 3 - Holiday Foods
Did your family have any traditional dishes for the holidays? Was there one dish that you thought was unusual?
December 4 - Christmas Cards
Did your family send them? Did your family display the ones they received? Do you still send Christmas cards?
December 5 - Outdoor Decorations
Did people in your neighborhood decorate with lights? Did some people really go “all out” when decorating?
December 6 - Santa Claus
Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?
December 7 - Christmas Grab Bag
Author’s choice! Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!!
December 8 - Christmas Cookies
Did your family make Christmas Cookies? How did you help? Did you have a favorite cookie?
December 9 - Holiday Parties
Did your family throw a holiday party each year? Do you remember attending any holiday parties?
December 10 - Christmas Gifts
What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give?
December 11 - Holiday Travel
Did you travel anywhere for Christmas? How did you travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?
December 12 - Charitable/Volunteer Work
Did your family ever volunteer with a charity such as a soup kitchen, homeless or battered women’s shelter during the holidays? Were you able to make the holidays special for someone less fortunate?
December 13 - Christmas and the Arts
Did your family attend any special events or performances during the holidays?
December 14 - Fruitcake – Friend or Foe?
Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for fruitcake?
December 15 - Christmas Grab Bag
Author’s choice! Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!!
December 16 - Christmas at School
What did you do to celebrate Christmas at school? Were you ever in a Christmas Pageant?
December 17 - Christmas Church Services
Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?
December 18 - Christmas Stockings
Did you have one? Where did you hang it? What did you get in it?
December 19 - Christmas Shopping
How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?
December 20 - Christmas and Deceased Relatives
Did your family visit the cemetery at Christmas? How did your family honor deceased family members at Christmas?
December 21 - Christmas Music
What songs did your family listen to during Christmas? Did you ever go caroling? Did you have a favorite song?
December 22 - Christmas Grab Bag
Author’s choice! Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!!
December 23 - Christmas Sweetheart Memories
Do you have a special memory of a first Christmas present from a sweetheart? How did you spend your first Christmas together?
December 24 - Christmas Eve
How did you and your family spend Christmas Eve?
