What are Your Favorite Christmas Traditions?
What are Your Favorite Christmas Traditions?
As the song goes, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” With the snowfall we have received in the Chicagoland area over the last few weekends and now the frigid temperatures, it is the most wonderful time of the year! We are only a few days away from Christmas and this year both Cooper children will be home to celebrate with family and friends. To say Pam and I are excited is an understatement!
As the wake-ups count down and the house is more decorated, I can’t help but think back on some Christmas traditions that we have had and other popular ones. It is enjoyable to remember what Christmas traditions you had as a child, which of those traditions you imparted on your own children, and if they are old enough, which of those traditions they are teaching the next generation.
With Christmas almost here, I want to share a few popular Christmas traditions and some historical origins:
The Cooper Family Christmas Tree
Decorate a Christmas Tree. This year I got a $10 tree from ‘the Jewel’ just a couple days ago. I wasn’t sure what I’d get, but it turns out it is a great tree! Remember, never judge a book by its cover (or price tag). Did you know that decorating an evergreen tree was first introduced in Germany in the 17th century? When the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 1820’s they brought the tradition with them and by the middle of the century almost every home in America had one.
Young Naperville Singers
Sing Christmas Carols. There are so many favorites – Oh Holy Night, Jingle Bells, Silent Night…the list could go on and on. What a peaceful way to spend Christmas – or the whole season! At Naperville Senior Center we hook up the 6-disc Christmas Karaoke every day and on Wednesday, the “Young Naperville Singers” featuring three of our Member’s grand-daughters will be performing right after lunch.
Go to Midnight Mass. There’s something about the midnight Mass that is special. It’s dark and the lights in the church are shimmering. Many times there will be a special choir singing classic Christmas songs where everyone can join in and some special ones like the Hallelujah Chorus. When done well, you can get chills down your spine! Did you know that the tradition of the Midnight Mass began as far back as the early 400’s? Centuries ago, Midnight Mass might last for hours, to the point where church goers would have an early morning feast following the Mass! At our church, the Midnight Mass is at 10:00 pm.- Read Twas the Night Before Christmas. It’s a classic that can be read whether your kids are young or old. Everyone is ‘in the moment’ and focused on the words, rather than on presents, food or other distractions. Did you know that the poem was written in the early 1800’s? There is controversy over who actually wrote it. Many people believe it was penned by Clement Clarke Moore, but some believe it was written by Major Henry Livingston, Jr. Either way, it is said to be “the best-known verses ever written by an American.” If you would rather read something else, pull out Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” Be sure to show everyone the pictures before you turn the page.
Continue (or start) a family tradition. Every Christmas, the Coopers, and any overnight guests, settle into the family room, crank up the blaze in the fireplace and watch the Christmas movie, “Die Hard.” Hans and his merry band of misfits once again will be thwarted by Officer John McClain. Throughout the movie, someone will say the next line before the actor and all will crack up. “Shoot the glass.” “This is Agent Johnson. No, the other one.” “Glass? You got beat-up on National TV and you’re worried about glass?” “We’re going to need some more FBI guys.”
On Christmas morning, we also enjoy devouring Pam’s baked cookies and fruitcake, washed down by a Mimosa or two as we pass out the presents under the tree.
Here at NSC we are enjoying spending another Christmas season with our Members. The joy they have fills the room. We can’t imagine spending this festive season any other way!
Every day we strive to provide a festive, safe environment for our Members so they can feel like this is indeed their home away from home. We want them to be as comfortable here as they are in their own home. Our Members socialize, vocalize, improvise, rhythmize, harmonize, exercise, have fun, and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation.
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Plant a garden. Think herb garden, or even a couple tomato plants. An herb garden would be perfect for indoors and could easily be transplanted outside next month. If you are handy, you could build a small, raised planter box where your loved one could comfortably sit or stand to help plant the garden. Not only are the herbs and vegetables good for them, they will appreciate being involved. It doesn’t get any more ‘local’ than that!
Plant a tree. This might not be something your senior loved ones can do themselves, but they can still be involved. Find out what their favorite tree is (hopefully something that grows well in your zone). If they still live in their own home, find a spot to plant a tree, even a little one, where they can see it. Maybe they could help water it from time to time. They can take pride in seeing something grow and live on for a long time and know that they were involved with it. If they live in a community where you cannot do this, maybe you can plant their tree by your house. When they come over to see you, point out the tree they that picked out – their ‘favorite’ tree.
We have a raised garden at Naperville Senior Center where our Members help to plant, water, pick and eat the wonderful vegetables we grow. We began planting April 1st, and on April 18th we had some impressive growth. We will transplant to the other side of the window in a couple weeks.
When the kids were little in the Cooper household, we would hide the little plastic eggs filled with candy, goldfish, other treats and coins. The kids would start at the top of the stairs and Mike would video them as they ran down the steps to the room with the eggs. It was very fun watching their search tactics change as they grew older. However, we would only let them have a couple pieces of candy before Mass. There was no room for kids with too much sugar during the celebration of the Risen Lord!
SPAIN: There are many processions through the streets of towns in Spain at night to celebrate Easter. The ‘floats’ have decorated figures, covered in gold, silver or beautiful cloth, telling the Easter story. These floats are carried by 40 or 50 people through the procession, which can last 4 – 5 hours.
Easter Celebration at NSC
These caregivers help their loved ones maintain a decent quality of life, without having to go to a nursing home or other facility. But the strain on caregivers can be great. According to AARP, the ‘typical’ caregiver is a middle-aged female who is married (or living with a partner) and works outside the home. It is likely that this caregiver also has children. So she is caring for her parents or other loved one, her spouse, her children and maintaining a job. That is a lot to ask of anyone!
Caregivers should not feel guilty leaving their loved ones at Naperville Senior Center. We truly are their “home away from home.” Our Members can socialize and make new friends, overcome obstacles, walk longer distances, improve hand eye coordination, increase muscle strength, increase endurance, and improve their quality of life!
been serviced recently and ready to use so their home is always at the right temperature. At NSC we make sure our facility is at the right temperature so our Members are comfortable while they are with us.