KirstinEnglishPage

=** My Christmas **= = = = =

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 As my eyes opened and the fog of sleep began to burn away, I awakened to find a candy cane next to me on my pillow. It was probably the biggest candy cane I've gotten for Christmas yet. It was about 12 inches long, red and white, and made entirely of bubble gum. Boy, my mom really outdid herself this year. ======

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 I jump out of bed and hustle into the hall way. Down the spiral staircase I fly until I'm in the living room and staring at all the decorations that my family has placed throughout the house. There are Christmas cards hanging from the beam overhead, a little toy Nativity scene on the living room table, a poinsettia and flower arrangement are organized by the entry way, and stuffed animals line the side board wearing all sorts of Christmas clothes and hats. Our stockings are hung from the mantel of the fireplace with all sorts of little packages poking out. The family tri-fold Christmas book is set on the ledge which overlooks the backyard. Lastly, the tree is in the center of the room with all the ornaments that we've ever made, from kindergarten to the present. It's hugged lightly by the garland, lights, and strain of pine cones which give it life every year. Nestled underneath the tree are the presents that everyone in the family works for and wraps with care. ======

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 I smile as I look down at my new Christmas pajamas that my sisters and I all receive on Christmas Eve. From the time I was little, I can remember getting to open one, and only one, present on Christmas Eve. That present always contained some sort of new pajamas for us to wear to bed. When we were little, my mom would sew them for us; but as we began to grow, she would look for a pair for each of us in order to continue the tradition. ====== = =

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 If our parents aren't awake when we come down stairs on Christmas morning, then we are allowed to open our stockings while we wait. As I tear into my stocking, my sisters begin to stir and come downstairs one at a time. First it's my younger sister, an ====== = =

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d then my older. We look through the stocking stuffers until my parents awake and then we start in with the main presents. There is a present from each of us to each other, and then one present from Santa. The cats usually get something too. Once we clean up, we get changed and ready to go to Carthage for the Christmas celebration at my Grandmother's. ======

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 When I walk through her door, the smell of ham and mashed potatoes meets me and teases my taste buds. The family all laughing and sharing stories around her tree. All the way from my Great Grandmother to my littlest cousin of 3. This is my favorite part of Christmas, seeing all those that I love and who live too far away for frequent visits. We choose one person to pass out the presents and everyone else waits in their seats for the moment when they are presented with something to open. Once all the presents have been distributed and opened amongst “Thank yous” and “I love it,” we wait for my Grandmother to open her Bible. As soon as the noises quiet down, she begins to read from Luke 2 and remind us all of the ultimate Christmas gift, the gift of Jesus Christ. After the last verse has been read, she says the blessing on the food and then we all dive into the kitchen to enjoy the smells that have tantalized us the entire morning. We usually stay until late into the evening, and then head home encircled in the warmth of love and family. ======