Page 28 - North Haven Magazine Issue 21 Holiday 2021

by Susan A. Iverson

The holidays are almost here, and with them memories of how we celebrate them. I like to ask people how they commemorated their special
days when they were young - some of my friends talk of elaborate dinners with extended family; a few show me precious ornaments carefully
unwrapped and displayed prominently. Still others remember gatherings hosted by their parents’ employers, the hometown rec department,
or place of worship. Each person smiles (sometimes wistfully) as they recount the festivities of years ago. The holidays represent vastly different
experiences for each of us – it is fascinating to hear about them and appreciate the ways that we share such a special time of year. Here are
some of my memories – I hope you enjoy!
n my family growing up, we knew the my daughter’s hand decorated wreath, and
Iholiday season was here when the Sears my son’s teddy bear made of peanut shells.
Roebuck “Wish Book” arrived in the mail. They hang on the tree decorating our home
Each of my six siblings and I would spend every year.
hours poring through the toy section, mak-
ing our lists to send to Santa. I must have I don’t have any memories of elaborate holi-
edited mine a dozen times before settling day dinners, but I do remember the cookies
on the perfect combination of art supplies, – peanut butter blossoms, spritz, and frost-
books, and whatever toy was in vogue that ed sugar cookies were my mother’s special-
year. When I was about ten years old, my ties. She would bake several weeks ahead
mother teased me with a little hint about and freeze them; one year my brothers dis-
what would be under the tree – she de- covered a cache of the frozen peanut butter
scribed it only as “sky blue pink” and to this blossoms and meticulously pulled the choc-
day when I see a sunset with streaks of pale olate kisses off every one! We remind them
blue and light pink I remember the colors and therefore we were often stationed far of that misdemeanor whenever possible.
in that flannel nightgown received almost away from extended family.) Instead, a big My daughter has carried on the tradition of
sixty years ago. I still like to include winter Christmas party was thrown each year for baking lots of cookies; she has been known
pajamas in my children’s gifts! all the “dependents” of the sailors and of- to make twelve or more different types of
ficers – a hall on base would be decorated, cookies, meticulously forming, baking, and
We didn’t usually attend holiday fami- punch and cookies would be served, and decorating each one of the hundreds of lit-
ly parties. We seldom lived close enough children would be lined up to see Santa and tle morsels. She then packages them and
to grandparents or aunts and uncles to be receive a gift from him. It was my dad’s job gives them to those lucky enough to be on
able to travel “over the river and through to give the organizers of the party a list of her list!
the woods”. (My father was in the Navy his dependents’ names and ages so that an
appropriate gift was supplied. There were
seven of us kids, all within nine years of
each other – he mostly got our ages correct,
but not always…we just traded gifts with
each other until we got something we liked!

Colorfully lit Christmas trees were always
one of my favorite decorations. I partic-
ularly liked seeing the decorated trees in
the front windows of other homes or pub-
lic spaces. When we first moved to North
Haven I was thrilled to discover that there
was a large pine tree gaily lit on our town
green. Even better that there was a tree This year promises to bring more together-
lighting celebration to launch the season! ness as we emerge from the pandemic - I
Our young family spent many years par- hope that this little reminiscence awakens
ticipating in activities like ornament craft- your own holiday memories and perhaps
ing, cookie decorating, and face painting inspires you to create some new holiday
on the green during the designated Sunday traditions. My wish for you is that you en-
afternoon in early December, culminat- joy the little (and big) moments this time
ing in the lighting of the tree at nightfall. of year brings to you and your loved ones!
I still have the ornaments that my children
made during those tree lighting festivals –

28 North Haven Magazine - Holiday Issue 2021