As I look back at Christmas over the past, there was always something special about getting in the mood of the season. What was it in your household? Who was there, and when did it happen? Whatever or whenever it made you...you!
As far as I can remember, the thing that always kicked off Christmas in our household was getting a tree to decorate. This event usually happened a day or two after Thanksgiving. You put on warm clothes, boots, and gloves. Ensure the axe was sharpened, and off through the woods we'd tromp. Our older brother Bill was always in the lead, with twin Doug next, and being the smallest of three, I was always regulated to the rear of the line. Being out in the cold, crisp air, sometimes we'd find a tree right off the bat, and then there would be other years we had to search for hours to find a tree. To us, it was all about the shape of the tree. It didn't matter if it was pine, cedar, spruce, or fir. The point was...it had to be suitable for the three of us, and it didn't matter which of us spotted THE tree. About six feet tall and full-bodied with no holes between the limbs.
Making It Magical
After carrying the tree back to the house, it was usually stuck in a large coffee can or lard bucket with dirt and a few rocks to keep it stable. A little water to keep it green (this had to be checked every day to make it last). The rest of the afternoon was spent decorating, and most of the decorations were handmade each year. You know, strings of popcorn, pinecones painted silver, chains made out of colored construction paper. The only constant was a colored set of lights that came out year after year stored in a shoe box and a 29-cent pack of icicles. Do you remember those? Thin silver strands that you would spread over the whole tree to make it sparkle? Once completed, the Christmas spirit entered our small home and made it magical.
What was your memory or thing that seemed to start the holiday each year? A tree, the lighting of a Menorah, making a batch of eggnog? Whatever it was, whoever was there, it made you... you! Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about those magical Christmas mornings really hits home. As we get older, these holiday traditions become even more precious, especially when we're thinking about passing them down to grandkids or creating new ones in retirement. Many retirees find that the holidays are a perfect time to focus on what really matters after decades of working through the busy seasons.
One thing I hear a lot is, "How do I make sure I can afford to be generous with my family during the holidays throughout my retirement?" The good news is that with proper planning, those Christmas memories don't have to come with financial stress. Whether it's budgeting for gifts, travel to see family, or hosting big holiday dinners, building these seasonal expenses into your retirement income plan makes all the difference.
Think of it this way: the traditions that made you who you are can keep going strong when you plan ahead. A little preparation today means you can focus on making those magical moments tomorrow.