 Home | Recent News | Lawrence | Remembering Christmas Traditions 01 Dec 2006 Remembering Christmas traditionsWhat things from Christmas past do we remember with fondness? Several Manor residents shared their memories: Cousins Phyllis Talmadge and Wahnita Henry remember going to their grandma’s house. During the war years, Phyllis was living in Washington, D.C. All of her traditional decorations were in Kansas, so she had to improvise. She made colorful paper chains and strung popcorn. Glittering ornaments were made by rolling wet newspaper into balls, then running them through starch and mica to create a reflective surface. Pictures were pasted on tin can lids and hung on the tree. Resident Ken Weaver remembers having lighted candles on the tree when he was a boy. He said he didn’t remember any accidents with the candles. Resident Lorene Mosser remembers going out to the field and chopping down a tree. In her family they also made construction paper chains and popcorn garlands. She remembers the first time they had electric lights on the tree. She would wake up early in the morning and sit by the tree and stare at the lights. She also remembers how her father arranged for the children to see Santa Claus peering in the window on Christmas Eve. Serena Eastburn’s family would have bowls of nuts and nutcrackers sitting around the house. Other memories include ornaments made from crocheted snowflakes that had been soaked in starch to make them stiff. Wahnita remembers in the late 1950s and early 1960s when computers were new, people would make woven wreaths from the IBM cards and spray paint them gold. Residents all agreed that an orange in one’s stocking was a much anticipated treat, and it was a tradition that many carried on with their own children. the Greens Vesper Service signifies the beginning of the holiday season. Tree trimming and decorating occurs during the first week in December when the Manor is transformed into a winter wonderland. The Friends and Family holiday dinners provide a opportunities for residents to host their loved ones in their home. Manor staff and residents also show their generosity by supporting community drives for canned goods and gloves and hats. Employees also volunteer each year to be bell ringers for the Salvation Army. The holiday season at the Manor truly reflects the reason for the season and seems to bring out the best in each of us. Merry Christmas to you and your families. Thank you for being a part of our Manor family.
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