Everywhere you go you can’t help but hear, “We’re not having a big Christmas this year.” It always seems to be said with a tinge of sadness. So, it got me thinking about my childhood “big” Christmases. And you know, there’s not one big Christmas that truly stands out. Yes, some years I got more expensive stuff…nicer jewelry, more toys or more money for shopping. But that stuff came and went.

My two favorite all time Christmas presents are a plastic holiday sled pin and a miniature pewter Coca-Cola train.

I got the pin in the most unhappy of circumstances when I was 14. My dad’s brother had cancer and 9 months after he was diagnosed his battled ended in December. At the funeral in Colorado, I met my aunt Liz’s, great-aunt Marge who was from Seattle. I’m from Texas. We bonded and aunt Marge made a tough few days easier. That year she sent me the pin and ashes from Mount Saint Helen’s. I love that pin because of who gave it to me not what it cost.

My mother gave me the Coca-Cola miniature train her last Christmas. I collect Coca-Cola kitchen stuff. I get to see it every day and it reminds me of her and that she wanted to get me something I’d love…and I do.

Think about what you love about Christmas. I bet it’s the small traditions. Decorating the tree or in my case, trees. Baking cookies or eating a certain dish every Christmas Eve. Wondering if aunt whoever is going to have a few too many glasses of wine and share a few more details than the kids need to hear. Loading everyone in the car to look at Christmas lights. Getting new Christmas PJ’s every Christmas Eve. Going somewhere every year.

Christmas is really about the memories we create with the people we love. Most gifts are ultimately expendable. You won’t even remember what you got the following year. So does big and expensive really matter? The important gifts at Christmas happen every time you do something that creates a tradition or makes a memories with the people that you love. It really is the small things that stay in our hearts. So my thought, have yourself a small, but memorable Christmas, every year.

Last Year’s Blog: I Believe In Santa Clause