Advent Calendar - Tree Visiting

Bubba & Grandma, Eighth Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 1985

Christmas wouldn't be complete without Bubba and Grandma Smith. One of the traditions Bubba gave us (insisted on) was tree visiting.  Bubba was always close to his siblings. During the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, he and my grandmother would go and visit each of his siblings, view their trees and sit for a showing of the gifts that had been received. Since my sister and I frequently spent our winter breaks staying with them, we often tagged (were dragged) along. Why dragged? Why did we dread it? I don't have any idea now. I do remember sitting in my great aunts and uncles homes, being warm and watching my cousins show us their gifts. Now, I am grateful, grateful for that time. Part of the closeness of Bubba's family is that they all lived in the same town, but also that he made time for them. He made sure they were a big part of his life and he made sure we understood the importance of family.

Auntie Dot & Poppy, Douglas Road, Bristol, Connecticut

So we went tree visiting. We always visited Auntie Dot and Poppy first. Auntie Dot is the closest in age to Bubba and she and Poppy served the role of grandparents to their nieces and nephews, the children in my mother's generation. Let's just say it's complicated and a story for another time. Their tree was always the fattest tree I had ever seen. It was short, but would seem to fill half of the room. They always had a gift ready for my parents, my sister and me and we would bring them gifts. How they managed to afford to buy gifts for all of their siblings, nieces and nephews is beyond me, but they did. The best part about going to Auntie Dot's was the sweets. After we did the gifts, we would head to her cozy kitchen for coffee and sweets; pies, cookies, donuts, whoopie pies...oh, I could go on and on. Maybe I should make some cookies later. 


I wonder if my cousins still go tree visiting in Bristol. Do you have this custom? This Tree Visiting post is part of the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - I Remember Christmas series, which is kind of like a virtual tree visiting, during which you hop around to different blogs and learn about different customs and traditions. Today's theme is all about the Christmas tree. 


Happy Tree Visiting!


Scrappy Gen
Let's Remember!

Jewish in December or The Gift of Faith - Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories

"Helping" Bubba Hang Lights

The ever productive Thomas MacEntee organized a blogging theme for the month of December called the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - I Remember Christmas. I was too new to blogging last year to participate, plus I am Jewish and wanted to give some thought to my contribution. For some, both Christian and Jewish, this can be a sticky topic. Not one to avoid sticky, I plan to embrace it. 


As you know I grew up Catholic and then converted to Judaism at the age of 22. I feel lucky because I have been able to fully experience two different religions in my life. There were a lot of reasons for my conversion, but the pivotal one was my (at the time) future children. More important to me than any particular religion was that my children be raised with one religion. Religion is important in that it gives you faith. Faith is personal and it is different for everyone. Faith supports you during good times and bad. It gives you something to grab when you need it and also confirms your belief in something greater. A shared belief and practice helps to tie a family together. My hope and wish was and is to give this gift to my children. 


During the first twenty four days of December, I plan to share both the Christmas traditions I loved as a child and also the new Hanukkah traditions I have come to enjoy as an adult. One of my great joys in life is discovering other people's customs and traditions and I am happy to talk religion with you anytime. I think it is important for true understanding and tolerance in the world that we learn about each other. Let's celebrate our differences. You will never be judged here on my blog. Do you practice a religion? What holiday are you celebrating this month? What is your favorite tradition? I would love to learn how you are spending December. Leave a comment, or if you are blogging about it, invite me over. I would love to go 'tree' visiting, or 'menorah' visiting, or...


My wish for you this December is a month of light, love, happiness and good times together with friends and family.


Happy December!


Scrappy Gen
Let's Remember!