We all have cherished family traditions and sharing stories of wonderful Christmas memories puts everyone in a festive mood. Jamie’s contagious spirit and joy during this holiday season is missed at the market with her being busy at school – but she has agreed to share some of the things she loves most about this season and tell us a little bit about the Pahl family Christmas traditions.
Tell us about the Pahl’s family Christmas?
The Pahl’s have a longstanding tradition that has been going on since before I was born. Every year on Christmas Eve the entire Pahl family gets together (whoever can make it). Not just aunts and uncles, but my grandpa’s brothers and sisters and their whole families. It is a wonderful tradition that was started by my Great-Grandma Myrtle. She wanted the whole family to see each other at least once a year. After she passed away the rest of the family decided to keep the tradition going. Each year someone else hosts the party and it is so fun to see my second and third cousins.
What do you love about this time of year?
Everything… This is honestly my favorite time of the year. I love the snow, music, and holiday parties. I even love going to the mall when it is all decorated with Christmas decorations and packed with people. Most importantly, this was always the time of the year that my dad got to stay home more. So when my brother and I didn’t have school he got to be there to have breakfast with us and just hang out like most dads did every other weekend during the rest of the year. Wintertime was always when we got the chance to be together as a family.
When do you start listening to Christmas music?
I believe it is never too early to start listening to Christmas music…so with that being said I start around Halloween : )
What is your favorite Christmas song?
It is impossible to come up with one song…however I grew up listening to Alabama Christmas Album. It isn’t Christmas without listening to that CD.
When do the Christmas decorations go up? When do they come down?
Normally my mom likes the decorations to go up before Thanksgiving so that we only have to focus on our Christmas trees after Thanksgiving. The decorations usually stay up until part way through January.
What is your earliest childhood memory of Christmas?
When my Great-Grandma Myrtle was still alive the big Christmas party was at her house. I remember being down in her basement and my brother (who was wearing a lime green baseball hat that he never took off) would pretend to scare Aunt Marilyn (my grandpa Wayne’s sister) and she would scream back pretending to be so scared.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Every year my grandma Winum (mom’s mom) and I put up a Christmas Village. We put it up a little different every year. It truly feels like Christmas after we get it all set up and we do it together every year. This is a tradition that I have kept with her even through college.
What is your favorite Christmas memory?
My sophomore year of high school my family went to Florida for Christmas. It was a huge change of pace (especially with no snow) but it was one of the best Christmases I have ever had. My grandparents met us down there and stayed at the hotel with us. The hotel was every kid’s dream with everything from mini-golf to a movie theatre. We had so many laughs and stories that we still talk about today.
What are you wishing for this Christmas?
Honestly there is no possession that I really want, if I could wish for A’s in my classes that would be my number 1 wish.
What is the favorite Christmas gift you have ever given?
I can’t think of my favorite, but my favorite part of giving a Christmas gift is seeing the reaction people have. It is always fun to see them get excited.
What is the favorite Christmas gift you have ever received?
My grandma used to always set out her Department 56 Silhouettes and for a few Christmases she would get me one to add to my collection. I still have all of my silhouettes displayed.
What is your favorite holiday time food?
I don’t have a specific favorite food, but I hate ham. In my opinion that is the worst Holiday food and for some reason it is always served.
Are you done Christmas shopping?
No, but that is one of my favorite things to do at the Holiday time, I take a long time to get all of my shopping done…multiple trips to the mall and countless hours trying to think of a good gift for everyone in the family.
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