Holiday memories are created by family — whether it is the family in which we are born or the family we create through church, work or social interactions.

May these reflections of cherished holiday memories, shared by four Richmond residents, bring you a renewed sense of joy and peace now and in the coming year. Happy holidays!

Magic of Christmas

by Shakia Gullette Warren

Executive director, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia

The memories of past Christmases fill me with a comforting nostalgia, particularly the ones spent with my parents and grandparents, steeped in cherished traditions and shared laughter. The anticipation and joy that built up in the days leading to Christmas created a magical atmosphere that I hold dear.

One standout memory that I often revisit is from a year when my family went all out to make sure Santa Claus made a special stop at our home. Every detail was meticulously planned, from the elaborate decorations to the thoughtful spread we left out for Santa, including sweet potato pie, Oreo cookies, and a glass of milk. The sense of anticipation and excitement hung thick in the air as we eagerly waited to see if our efforts would pay off.

On Christmas morning, I awoke to find reindeer hay scattered across the floor, forming a trail that led directly to the fireplace. Santa had indeed paid us a visit, leaving behind a treasure trove of gifts. I unwrapped a Cabbage Patch doll, an Etch A Sketch, and a collection of beautiful black Barbie dolls. The enchantment of that moment lingers, and I hold it close to my heart as a testament to the magic of Christmas.

Santa even left us a note, spreading the message of a Merry Christmas and emphasizing the importance of giving over receiving, while urging us to keep Christ at the center of all our celebrations. That day left an indelible mark on me, igniting a deep love for the holiday season. It was during this magical Christmas that the true spirit of the holidays instilled in me the values of generosity and faith, making it one of the most cherished memories I carry with me to this day.

Nothing like family

by Gregory Gallop II

Senior community impact officer, Community Vibrancy Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond

As an only child, Christmas was all about the gifts for me – the Hot Wheels, the PlayStation, Rush Hour 2 on DVD. Like most children, I imagine, I would wake up my parents at the first sign of daylight and usher them into the living room to open presents. I would spend all morning playing with whatever I unwrapped, and it was the first thing I packed as we prepared to travel to North Carolina to celebrate with the rest of my kinfolk. As the only native Virginian in the family, I looked forward to bullying my cousins in any and every game possible. So went the tradition — Christmas morning with mom and dad, meals and mischief with relatives.

As I matured, material things meant less and less. I realized that anything tangible was only temporary. What I actually enjoyed, more than anything, was spending time with family. Laughing and joking with my cousins, wolfing down slices of pie made fresh from my aunt’s pecan tree, seeing my grandmother’s gold-toothed smile — all my most cherished holiday memories.

I couldn’t tell you what gift I unwrapped on my third, fourth or 25th Christmas, but I will always remember the way it feels being around my family at Christmas time. For this reason, to this day, Christmas is my favorite holiday. The love, the joy, the peace that it brings is something that will always stick with me. These feelings I feel when reminiscing over Christmas will never fade away.

A love letter to Mom

by Rodney Hall

Public relations strategist, former educator Richmond Public Schools

Dear Mom,

As we celebrate this first holiday season with you in heaven, we are reminded of the scripture you taught us from John 3:16.

You taught us to believe and we will not perish. Although our hearts break not hearing your infectious laugh or hearing your voice, we are comforted in knowing that you are in heaven with your Christian sisters and Uncle Brother singing the praises.

As a single, working, professional Mom, you made sure Christmas was meaningful and memorable. The smells that came from the kitchen, the many decorations, the cards, church services, friends and family stopping by.

Mom, you made the holiday come alive, from playing the Temptations … to Nat King Cole.

You also taught us to give back to others. I will never forget the Christmas in which you made sure we shared with others. That was impactful. Thank you for the great Christmas memories.

Rodney (and Donna) Hall

In memory of Ivy Christian Hall

Old, new traditions

by Heather Ernst

Acting director, Branch Museum of Architecture and Design

Growing up in Louisiana, our holidays were fairly traditional. There were gatherings with lots of family and friends, good food and laughter leading up to Christmas Eve. My sisters and I would wake up each Christmas morning and go downstairs to find that Santa had filled our stockings and left presents under the tree. We would wake up Mom and Dad and they would sit next to each other on the sofa, drinking their coffee and watching as we tore into our gifts.

I thought that was how it would be when I had my own family. But when my daughters were very young, their dad and I separated so, while my dream of emulating Christmas mornings as I knew them growing up didn’t quite work out the way I planned, it was even better.

My most cherished Christmas memory happened in 2008 and it was the beginning of two traditions that we still carry on to this day. We had our Christmas tree up and were rooting through the box of mix-matched ornaments that had made its way from our move from California to Florida.

We emptied the packed box and as we got to the bottom, sitting among the Christmas tree lights,

tinsel, stockings, and brightly colored ornaments sat a small, plastic, very life-like green frog.

We pulled it out of the box and wondered how it had gotten there. I had heard of a Christmas tradition of hanging a pickle ornament on the Christmas tree and letting the children hunt for it. The first to find it won the honor of passing out presents on Christmas morning and being the first to open a present. So, I hid the frog in the Christmas tree, and this is how we began a tradition that continues to this day with the very same plastic frog that mysteriously appeared 15 years ago.

That was the same year that we each bought a special ornament and put our initials and the year on it. We’ve done this every year since and now have a collection of ornaments that reflect each year over the past 15 years.

My daughters are now 22 and 26; they’ll have their own Christmas trees and their own families one day. They’ll also have their own ideas of what Christmas should look like. I hope that they’ll carry on some of the traditions that we created together as a family while creating new traditions that fit perfectly within their lifestyle and their family.