Christmas, my family's best holiday

by Hope Gunter

As I grow older, Christmas is the greatest holiday for my family and me. The powerful feeling of family is never any stronger than on Christmas Day. The stress of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve all seeps away as our children come running into our bedroom to see if we are awake yet. Even though our children are teenagers, the tradition doesn't change; Santa is real if you believe in him.
I've seen our children wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. As our children awake us, my husband tries to draw out the anticipation by telling them he needs to take a shower first. After much begging and grumbling, they agree and the three of us make our way into the kitchen to bake cinnamon rolls. While my husband is showering, we are in the kitchen preparing the cinnamon rolls. By the time he is done, the smell of the gooey sweet cinnamon rolls is drifting through the house.
As I pull the rolls out of the oven, my daughters are tearing into the stockings Santa filled while visiting the night before. Santa always remembers Mom and Dad, too. With the typical candy and fruit, Santa never forgets the favorite compact disc or perfume. I believe that this is our daughters' favorite part, although they would never admit it. Santa also brings one gift for everyone. It always amazes me how he always knows just what to bring. Whether it is the beautiful birthstone necklaces for our daughters, or the brown leather rodeo equipment for my husband or the most awesome mother's ring for me, Santa's gifts are always the most thoughtful.
After all the bright, cheerful paper has been torn off the last of the gifts, the cinnamon rolls are cooled down enough to devour. By the time our breakfast treat is demolished and all the paper and gifts put back under the tree, we all rush into our bedrooms to get ready to travel to my husband's parents' home for brunch and more gifts.
When we arrive at my in-laws' house in Pinole, we open the door and the smell of eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy float to our noses. Once again, my mother-in-law out did herself. What an incredible brunch she has made. Of course all of my husband's family are there, his parents and his sister and her family. Even though there are only eleven of us, you would think there were at least twice that many. The living room looks as if Macy's exploded in it. Cheerfully wrapped Christmas presents are everywhere. Of course the children's grandparents spoil them rotten. They also spoil their children. With tons of presents to open, the fun begins. By the time all the gifts are opened, the room looks like a cyclone hit it. While the children and dads are straightening up the room, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and I start into the kitchen to arrange the unbelievable brunch on the table.
By now, we are all lying around the living room ready to explode. Everything is perfect; we are with our family and happy. But it's not over yet. After relaxing for a while, we are ready to head back to our house; we will be serving a late Christmas Day buffet to our next round of family this evening.
By the time we arrive home, we have only a few minutes to prepare for the next exciting part of the day. My parents and my husband's grandparents arrive to spend the rest of the day with us. After more gifts, we watch my favorite movie, "It's a Wonderful Life". That movie touches a warm and fuzzy spot in my heart and makes Christmas special by showing what a family's love can accomplish.
After the movie, my mom and I set the table for our buffet. We try to keep it simple, as this day is to visit and reminisce, not to wilt in the kitchen. Our wonderful buffet includes honey-baked ham, sliced smoked turkey, potato salad, fruit salad, and rolls. Of course the buffet wouldn't be complete without the dessert: pie and cool whip or homemade fudge and chocolate chip cookies.
By now, we are all lounging around, ready to fall asleep, but Christmas Day wouldn't be the same without playing card games or dominoes. The rest of the evening is spent lovingly fighting with each other over the games.
As everyone leaves to go home, I can't help but wish the day had not gone by so fast. It's hard to believe it's over for another year, but at least I have the memories of the magnificent day that I spent with my extraordinary family.