BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Christmas reminds us of the importance of family, an enduring way to honor your lineage while making lasting new memories.
“Our Christmas traditions generally involve taking my family (we have three kids), and whatever dogs or cats are in the situation at the time, down to my parents’ house in Raleigh, North Carolina,” Cincinnati, Ohio resident Brian Kelly said. “We’ll have Christmas morning at their house with presents and breakfast.”
Williamstown, West Virginia, native Susan Igo’s family (her kids, sister/brother, and her sister’s kids) get together on Christmas Eve at her parents’ house.
“We do an early dinner, usually around noon/1:00, and then put together a whole lot of other food,” said Igo, who now lives in Rocky Mountain, North Carolina. “Later, we move it downstairs, watch Christmas movies, and open gifts. So it’s a lot.”
Provide children with a sense of connection, identity, and continuity by starting a family Christmas tradition.
“We have our family dinner and gift exchange on Christmas night and sometimes Christmas Eve,” said Ruben Medina, a Cleveland, Ohio resident. “But it’s our first Christmas together (he and his partner), so hopefully establishing some new traditions.”
Capture the season’s spirit of love and hope.
“We go to our mom’s side of the family, and every morning on Christmas Day, I sing a Christmas song,” Summerville, South Carolina resident Lucas Guilliam said.
“Usually watch a Christmas story on repeat for 24 hours,” added Guilliam’s father.
“We have a cookie decoration contest,” his sister said, with their brother adding that they read the Bible Christmas story at every Yuletide gathering.
According to Kelly, it’s about relaxing in their pajamas, opening presents, all that fun stuff, followed by an afternoon meal at his grandparents’ house.
“And a trip down to the (dairy) farm where my mother was raised, in rural North Carolina,” he said. “So, it’s a busy day with lots and lots of family, and we have a really good time.”
The Sunnucks bake Christmas cookies, a tradition Jeannie’s mom started years ago. She says they usually celebrate Christmas with their children and grandchildren, while the family does its thing on Christmas Day. This year, they’re doing something different.
“We celebrated a little early so I could go to Ohio and spend Christmas with my dad, who is almost 93,” said the Burlington, North Carolina resident. “We always try to remember the reason for the season, but we have a big family. I am one of 11; he’s one of six. Christmas has always been a special time.
“Yes, added husband Brian. “Lots of kids, probably 80-some nieces and nephews.”
