christmas morning.
watching the kids open presents.
all the smiles.
the hugs.
christmas breakfast with lots of crappy sweet food like cinnamon buns.
sitting by the fire.
the smell of christmas trees.
snow forts in 36 inches of snow in your back yard.
frozen wool mittens.
lots of friends and family around.
stockings on the mantle.
kids in santa hats.
dogs with bows round their necks.
old relatives being delighted to be with family.
eggnog from a carton.
andy williams records.
cheap bows in big bags from woolworth.
wet socks.
huge christmas trees in my parents 14′ living room.
christmas lights with screw in bulbs.
waking up to see if the cookies were gone.
piles of presents under the tree.
christmas carols on records.
hearing bells at night.
watching rudolf on tv every year before it was on DVD.
charlie brown’s christmas.
the wreath’s in Orchard Park every year.
The tree in Rockefeller center.
The bazillion people anywhere near Bloomingdales, FAO Schwartz, or Macy’s in New York.
skating outside, on a pond.
sledding at Chestnut Ridge, risking death or serious injury (anyone remember being in the injury room at CR?).
The windows at AM and A’s Department Store on Main Street.
watching kids cry getting their picture taken with Santa.
packages from out of town that said “do not open until Christmas!’ on them.
Christmas Carolers. Snow on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve at Shore’s Orchard Downs.
making out with a cute girl I was in love with at Shore’s on Christmas eve.
The crappy Santa booth at the Seneca Mall.
Christmas cards all over the house.
Jingles cookies.
sponge candy.
scotch tape all over everything.
kids in snowsuits with red cheeks from the cold.
skating on Freeman’s pond.
visitors from out of town, and all their packages, presents, and luggage.
food cooking for days.
christmas cookies in endless waves.
nativity scenes outside small churches in the country.
seeing someone’s eyes when you score a really great smile from a cool gift.
cookie dough.
silver and gold everywhere.
ice skates.
candles.
the still and quiet of a snow night.
stars on a clear winter night.
walking a dog on Christmas Eve
walking into a Christmas party and hearing a roar of laughter
pretty girls n those sexy santa’s helper dresses and santa hats with the furry collars from Fredericks, or wherever polyester dresses like that come from.
Mexican Wedding Cakes – best cookies ever, never around other than Christmas.
sleds with runners.
snow forts, with extra snowballs
giving a girl a christmas present, knowing she will squeal.
stuffing.
peace.
Any more I forgot?
