Posted by The world of Christmas at the Jack Reiling's- according to the youngest. on December 09, 1999 at 10:04:12:
In Reply to: A Special Christmas posted by Aunt Marge on December 07, 1999 at 21:16:32:
Christmas time was ALWAYS special when I was growing up and when my mother (Jane Reiling) was around! I always recieved the gift I wished for... and then some! There was "The BIG gift of the year" and it went to different people each yaer. One time, it was a Hasselblad Camera that Mom got and she was stunned for the rest of the evening. Another year, it was a set of snow tires for Bob LaMendola. Another time, Dad fooled Mom by saying we were getting the monkey we all asked for... and when a big, covered cage was brought out, she gasped. It turned out to be a minah bird- thankfully! I cherished the times when we were all around the 6 ft. round dining table and opening gifts took all evening! We tore open the packages and stuffed the paper under the table for later cleanup. No matter how early in the year (September?) it was when Mom first started to shop, it seemed she was never finished until that evening when the dinner dishes were done and the opening began! Almost every year, we would each get something that was handmade. Sometimes, when I was the last one living at home, Mom would wrap mine, still with the pattern pinned to it and a note... "will finish later". :) That's where Dad would say "this is hot off the needle!" Santa Clause could arrive at our house at any time... we even heard his jingle bells outside while we were upstairs helping Aunt Peggy unpack her suitcase for her annual visit. Santa always ate the cookies we left for him. In our stockings, Santa left goodies like nuts, oranges, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss! My, those were fine times...! I also cherish the times we went to the Aunts and Uncles' houses for parties with the cousins. The one to Fort Mitchell, KY was one of the fondest. Merry Christmas to all! Love, Jill