The Button Jar: Family on Christmas Eve

Siemens Family Christmas on Christmas Eve is a tradition that NO ONE is ever willing to break.

The location has changed a couple of times - once or twice at Max and Aileen's house, a few times at Ann and Bud's house. Otherwise it has been at The Farm until last year when we needed to decide on a new place that was big enough for our entire family at once and a tree and gifts and food.

The format has changed somewhat also. Eating first. Eating later. The Christmas Eve service at St. Marks was inserted for a few years when I was playing the organ and the girls were participating in the program. A few times people had to work late (as in Karen at the grocery store or Hilary at Barnes and Noble) or most of the day (as in Gary delivering the mail). When the girls were little, we had to come home early so that Santa could work his magic and they could get some sleep before the early morning the next day. Sometimes we would add in White Elephant gifts and a game or two. Sometimes we would play games after (but mostly it was with the toys that had been received).

Attendees often changed too. Ann and Bud were always with us for dinner and to exchange gifts with them. Sometimes Max, Aileen, Bryan, Reagan, and Grandma Vivian would join us. A couple of years Mom and Dad were here and once Grandma Greta and Greta were here also (that was 1983 and a blizzard happened that night!). Alex was a frequent visitor on Christmas Eve, and as the girls grew older, Blaine joined us, then Matt, then Caleb and one year Amanda brought a friend.

Menus have changed over the years also. I can't even remember all of the varieties of food and desserts that have graced the table on Christmas Eve, but the favorite seems to be the appetizers, including spinach dip, cheese balls, shrimp, relish trays, and more.

Gift giving has changed also. Instead of everyone buying gifts for everyone else, the adults now draw names and everyone buys gifts for the kids. Stockings are filled also. We play games with small gifts, recently adopting the idea of a 'color' gift to pass, grab, and steal.

The only thing that has stayed the same is that EVERYONE in the family is there. Together. All of us.

The Siemens Family - Christmas Eve 2017
We learned so much from Mom and Dad Siemens, but one over-arching theme that they lived by was that nothing was more important than family. Together as a family we are strong. We know we can depend on each other. We share happy times. We support each other during difficult moments. We laugh. We cry. We celebrate. We mourn. We stick together through it all.

And that is evident on Christmas Eve.

Year #2 for Christmas Eve in Pymont. Because of the snow, Sandy and Kent left earlier than planned, but our family was still together for most of the evening. While last year was difficult with the loss of both Mom and Dad Siemens, the joy seemed to return with this Christmas Eve. We are finding our New Normal for celebrating the holiday.

The Siblings - Gary, Sandy, Karen, Mike

Family is strong. We are strong. And Christmas Eve is one time when we can count on each other to be together...no matter what. It is a tradition.