Love this, my friend. Your first family Christmases sound a lot like my family Christmases from 10th grade on.

Once we stopped doing Christmas with my side, things got easier. Hubby’s side doesn’t do Christmas big, but they do it fun. Hubby is one of 4 boys. His mom was thrilled to have someone in the family who liked Christmas. I think that’s part of why I enjoy it more. She made it special.

Now that we don’t travel much over Christmas, hubby and I do the holidays small. I get most of my holiday spirit from reading other people’s accounts and looking into my memory.

Thanks for sharing both sides of your Christmas stories. May the good side go on making memories for many many more years!