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Favorite Holiday memories with my mom

Today is the 10 year anniversary of my moms death. I can’t believe she has been gone that long. As I am getting older it doesn’t bother me as much because she lives within me. I am my mother in a lot of the things I do. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays. We never had a real tree and my mom had the same fake tree from the time I was born up until I was 18 years old and left the house. After I left the house she got one of those corner Christmas trees. I use to say mom….really….a corner tree but I guess she was trying something new. There are some things that will always stay with me no matter how I old I get. Here are a few of my favorite holiday memories that I had with my mom.

Favorite Holiday memories with my mom

Favorite Holiday memories with my mom

Shopping early

Once I found out there was no Santa (at the age of 8 when I walked downstairs for water and saw her wrapping presents) I realized that my mom shopped early. How early? Well, she was done with her shopping by October. She would start picking up things throughout the year and would hide them in her attic until Christmas. I never went into the attic because I was scurred. My mom would be sitting back with her feet up while others were scrambling to get gifts. If she saw something in February then she would put it aside for me early. I thought that was smart! I still haven’t incorporated that into my shopping habits because as of today….I have only bought each child one item.

Have a theme for your tree

Now I have seen it all. The crayon tree, the candy cane tree, the trolls tree, the winter wonderland tree, the blue tree, you name it I have seen it. My mom had a theme for her tree every year. Some of her themes were

The Seashell tree

The Angel Tree

The Red Ribbon Tree

The Teddy Bear tree (my favorite one)

The Bird tree

Where she came up with these themes I don’t know but she had all the ornaments to match the tree even the top of the tree. She would make the skirt herself to match each theme. I looked forward to the themes every year!

We eat early….no later than 2pm

Christmas morning my mom would make a small breakfast but the highlight of the day was dinner and we ate dinner promptly at 2 every holiday. My mom didn’t play that eating late in the evening. The evenings were for movies, eating desserts, or visiting others. We ate early and we were done by the time others were just sitting down to eat. I thought 2 was a bit early but now I see why my mom did that. I try to eat dinner early myself on holidays.

Buying others gifts

My mom had 3 best friends and each Christmas they gave each other gifts like they were children. I use to be a bit jealous sometimes because she sometimes got way more things than I did and I was the child. I guess that was the thing to do. My mom had great friends and they always gave nice things for the holidays. Things my mom loved. She was generous and creative when it came to her friends. Baskets done by her, lamps that she handcrafted herself with items in them, pillows that she made with love. Whatever she did, she did over the top. Buying others presents to brighten up their day was what my mom loved the most!

Dressing in matching outfits

Every Mothers Day and Christmas my mom had us dressing alike. The entire family not just her and I but my grandma and my Aunt had to join in on the fun. Sweaters and pants had to match every holiday. I have kind of started this tradition by doing the matching sleeping clothes on Thanksgiving eve and Christmas Eve.

Always having her camera out

My mom was the queen of the camera. I guess some of it rubbed off on me (side eye). She took pictures every holiday. I have them but I wanted to hold them close to me and not share them with the world just yet. I always look back through at some of her photos though to remember the good times. I get to laugh, cry, and be grateful that I had all of my childhood with my mom.

As Christmas gets near the memories I have will always far outlive pictures and things. This holiday season if you aren’t with the people you love try to love the people you are with. What memories do you have with your mother? Share them below.

 

 

15 Comments

  • Sapphire Kharyzma
    December 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    I love learning about the holiday tradition of others! Your mom sounds like she was extremely amazing! I truly enjoyed reading this!

    Reply
  • Sarah
    December 18, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    Sounds like your mom was quite the character! How special that you can keep these memories going in her honor. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  • Crystal Nicole
    December 18, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    This is so great! Christmas was my grandmother’s favorite holiday and I think that’s why it’s so special to me now. My mom and I are getting matching pajamas this year and I’m super excited to start this tradition with her.

    Reply
  • Eva
    December 19, 2017 at 12:16 am

    Wow. Sounds like you guys had such a special bond! Those traditions sound like a lot of fun. I bet twinning was just too cute.

    Reply
  • Dominique
    December 19, 2017 at 1:09 am

    Awww! This is really nice. Beautiful memories. I love the idea of a different tree theme each year.

    Reply
  • Tiffany Haywood
    December 19, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This is so beautiful. I love the memories you have from your mother and it seems like you are well on your way to creating a few of your own while still passing on the tradition of hers. PS: I think the tree theme is super fun!

    Reply
  • Jaye
    December 19, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    Lovely. Glad that you have so many beautiful memories with your mom. A great reminder that how the moments we share are ever lasting.

    Reply
  • Bernetta
    December 19, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    These sounds like great memories Kita! I love the dressing alike idea. It sounds like your mom had a great system for Christmas. And you’re right, she lives within you!

    Reply
  • Natasha
    December 19, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    The traditions of others really make me smile. I’m glad that you are able to reflect on all of the good feelings around the holiday while remembering your mom. It’s amazing how much of them live within us for sure, isn’t it?

    Reply
  • Bridgid
    December 20, 2017 at 3:24 am

    I love this! Makes me miss my mom (she lives across the country). I’m diggin the themed tree idea. Might have to take notes for next year on that one. And I will definitely be looking up the teddy bear one on pinterest lol.

    Reply
  • Kasi
    December 20, 2017 at 11:03 am

    I love your Christmas traditions that you got from your mother! The themed Christmas tree idea is so cool!

    Reply
  • Elle (CleverlyChanging)
    December 20, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Two peas in a pod.You shared some wonderful, mother and daughter suggestions. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  • Nellie
    December 21, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    wow so many wonderful traditions with your mom! You both love the camera too. Thank you for sharing these memories with us!

    Reply
  • Kim
    December 26, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I hope your holiday was great even with your mom not being there. It sounds like you are doing a good job of keeping her memory and traditions alive.

    Reply
  • […] play all the way through one day and saw the end. I had to rewatch. This one speaks to me because I lost my mom during the holidays a few years ago and then to go through the holidays without the hubs […]

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