Creating Cherished Christmas Memories – An Interview With Tracy Roberts
Posted on Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Putting the brakes on the commercialization of Christmas with old fashioned fun and cherished memories.
My grandson was teasing me the other day because, as he put it, “All old people like to do is talk about the old days.” Well, he’s got a point. What he doesn’t realize at age 13 is that, many moons from now, he also will spend lots of time reminiscing about the memories created for him today.
That got me thinking. Like many ‘old people’ I spend a lot of hours this time of year reminiscing about what Christmas used to be like in my family. I grew up in a time when Christmas was MAGIC!
The magic was in the expectation, the decorating, the baking, the songs, and just the playing. We dragged the tree home over snow covered fields and decorated it with angels and paper chains. We built snowmen, we built skating rinks, we built igloos, we made maple candy in the snow, we lit candles in the windows, and we hung our stockings. We put up the Manger, without the Baby Jesus, of course, because he wasn’t born yet. We finally set out cookies for Santa, and then we spent hours trying to stay awake to catch a glimpse of him.
We did NOT go to the mall. My Mom and Dad did NOT max out their credit cards. We were NOT disappointed when we didn’t GET a mountain of toys under the tree. Christmas was about a whole lot of things instead; the empty crib in the Manger, Baby Jesus magically appearing, songs, Santa, games, the tree, sparkly decorations, sweets, and just plain ol’ fun.
Something is missing in much of what I see and hear today. If I turn on the television, I’m bombarded with what has become the new ‘sights and sounds of Christmas.’ This commercialized Christmas has got me thinking, doesn’t anyone just create memories anymore?
I no longer ‘have’ our igloo or ice skating rink; they melted. The candles have been burned down many, many years ago. And the plates of cookies disappeared each and every year. But, the memory of those things are always present. Talking about the ‘old days’ as my grandson says, is our way of preserving the things that are important to us; time spent with the people we love. He’ll understand that someday. But, the only way he’ll understand that is for HIS Mom and Dad to do what MY Mom and Dad did – create cherished memories.
That’s where my friend Tracy Roberts of MomsInABlog.com comes in. Tracy, like many new Moms, got caught up in the whole must-make-Christmas-perfect trap. She overspent and overindulged in all things Christmas – that is according to what she was being told. We ALL want our children to have a nice Christmas; and we ALL want to give our children everything their little hearts desire, but… at what cost?
Then Tracy decided to reclaim the magic of Christmas.
Now, rather than have me tell you how Tracy did this, I thought you’d like to meet Tracy and hear in her own words how this transformation came about. After all, Tracy is a young mother who sounds very much like she’s talking about the ‘good ol’ days!’ Not only is she talking about it, she’s put all her best ideas for putting the magic back in Christmas in a neat little ebook entitled Creating Cherished Christmas Memories. This sounds so much like something many of us over-50-folks can relate to, that I decided to offer Tracy’s ebook here on Remarkable Wrinklies. But, first let’s meet Tracy.
Patti: Hi Tracy and welcome to Remarkable Wrinklies.
Tracy: Hello Patti. It’s great to be here.
Patti: In the lead up to our interview, I mentioned how refreshing it is to find a young mother who is so interested in creating Christmas memories for her children instead of just buying gifts. It makes me think that your own memories of Christmases gone by are still something you cherish. Would you share a little bit about yourself and why you feel it is so important to drop the commercializing of Christmas?
Tracy: As a mom of 4, I’ve grown tired of trying to keep up with what “the world” (read retail stores) tells us we should be doing during the Christmas season. There’s no way I could decorate my house like a pro, host (multiple) gatherings with fresh baked cookies, breads and desserts, buy presents for everyone, and do everything I should do and still keep my sanity. So, I’ve decided not to participate. This year’s Christmas will be one of simplicity and spending time together.
Patti: Is there any one tradition that you lost earlier that you are particularly pleased to have revived for your children now?
Tracy: This year, we’ve decided instead of begging for toys that will be forgotten almost as soon as the wrapping paper is placed in the trash, we’ll be giving to others. We’ll be sharing our time and talents by visiting assisted living facilities with a hug and some Christmas carols, baking items filled with yummy goodness to give to our friends. And instead of a mountain of presents, we’ll be taking the time we’d be spending at the mall shopping to spend time together as a family and share the true reason for the holiday season.
Patti: What made you decide to put all these wonderful ideas down in this great collection, Creating Cherished Christmas Memories?
Tracy: It’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘busy-ness’ that we create stress for ourselves and our families during a time we should be growing closer together. I mean, when the stores start decorating for Christmas before Halloween is even over, I think there’s a disconnect. I wanted to share that it’s okay to skip the big parties if you want to. Kids don’t need a ton of presents as much as they need sane parents. And, it really is okay to eat pizza on Christmas Day.
Patti: If you could share one piece of advice with my readers here, something that older people could do to help kids enjoy this season for something other than gifts, what would you tell us?
Tracy: That’s an easy one…spend time with them. Hug them, love them and tell them about what life was like when you were their age. Be with them. Read to them. Bake cookies with them. Do something with them. And, in case you didn’t get it the first time… spend time with them!
Patti: Thank you, Tracy, for sharing your insights with us. It’s nice to know that we ‘old folks’ aren’t the only ones who are interested in preserving tradition and creating memories. It’s cliché to say ‘Someday you kids will thank me for this’… but they will! Good job, Tracy! And, Merry Christmas to You and Yours!
Tracy: Thank you, Patti, and I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas, as well.
p.s. Now that you’ve learned a bit about Tracy, won’t you please take a look at her ebook Creating Cherished Christmas Memories as well as her website MomsInABlog.com.
I’m sure you’ll find lots of ideas to help your family, or a family you know, get back on track celebrating Christmas in a way to create memories instead of creating more debt, stress, and frustration.
And, when you buy Tracy’s ebook, she’ll throw in two bonuses absolutely FREE. These bonuses, The Big Book of Classic Christmas Tales and Wacky Party Ideas For Kids and Parents, are great resources for Christmas, and anytime you need ideas to keep kids entertained.
Of course, Tracy is so sure you’ll love these books that she includes a 60 day money back guarantee, no questions asked.
I hope you’ll take a look at all the wonderful ways Tracy has found to put the magic back into Christmas for her family. Order your copy today and you’ll have it downloaded and ready to put into action in time for your Christmas celebration, too!
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