Growing up, my family celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas. My fathers side of the family is Jewish, and my mothers side of the family is Catholic.
I thought this was wonderful to grow up with 8 nights of gifts for Hanukkah and 2 days of gifts for Christmas with Christmas Eve included.
During my mothers sober years of my childhood holidays, we were so much fun. The house would always be decorated for Christmas. We would get a huge real Christmas tree, and the outside of the house would be decorated with lights. We baked Christmas cookies and listened to Christmas music. My dad also loved to watch the movie A Christmas Story.
Christmas Eve, my entire family would get together at my uncles house. I don’t even think I knew half the people there, but it was nice to spend time with my cousins, seeing we didn’t get together very often. All I remember is one Christmas at my uncles house he had two kittens who he kept in the garage due to having family over, so I’d sneak off to the garage to hang out with the kittens.
My siblings and I swear we heard reindeer and sleigh bells on our roof one Christmas Eve.
Waking up on Christmas morning was so much fun. My siblings and I would be downstairs way before sunrise.
I remember one year, my parents surprised all of us with a new nintendo or Genesis. That was the best Christmas ever. We really were very spoiled kids.
I’m not sure the exact age I stopped believing in Santa, but I remember my mom finding out, and she broke down crying. I assume she just got emotional that the Santa part of Christmas was over with.
The holidays were just such a great time of year during my mothers sobriety once her alcoholism took over holidays became dreadful for me.
The Outspoken Advocate 