The Delta Democrat-Times asked its readers what their Christmas traditions and plans were. This is what they said.
Kimberly Nicole, of Hollandale:
“We will be doing things the traditional way. Opening presents Christmas morning, having Christmas dinner and commencing the day with our annual tradition of riding around Greenville looking at Christmas lights.”
Taylor Diamond, of Dallas and formerly of Greenville:
“This year, my boyfriend and I came home to visit family. Everyone got together at my grandma’s house for an early Christmas before we have to go back to Dallas. We played games like Dirty Santa, exchanged gifts and ate a lot of food. Like, a lot of food. It’s been good to be back in the Delta and I’m going to miss everyone when we go back home. Back in Texas, we will spend Christmas with our two dogs, Bella and Oliver. It will be our first Christmas all together.”
Corben Washington, of Hollandale:
“We all get together as a big family on Christmas Eve. And we usually have a Christmas Eve get together where we eat seafood or some other type of food. We usually party until its time to go to bed and then the next morning we get up in our Christmas pajamas, change clothes and then eat.”
Raven Thomas, of Indianola:
“I always go over to my family’s house and eat dinner with them, sitting and talking and sharing old stories. My mom always tells stories about how they used to spend Christmas when they were younger, sharing one fork and passing it around the table and waiting until the other gets done.”
Dannette Lewis, of Hollandale:
“On Christmas Eve, we’re allowed to open one gift. Christmas morning, we open gifts, get back in the bed and then eat.”
Diane Sibert, of Eudora, Arkansas:
“We always open one present on Christmas Eve and that would be our Christmas pajamas and the next day we can lounge around in all day my children still do it for their children so it’s been passed down.”
Mario Strahan Jr., of Hollandale:
“I look forward to giving and being a blessing to others and making them feel happy because by giving, they may be receiving something they’ve never had or really need.”
Cyndi Martyn, of Cleveland:
“On Christmas Eve, we read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and the story of the birth of Jesus to our kids. And then we bake cookies for Santa.”
Kristin Johnson, of Hollandale:
“I like to help decorate the Christmas tree and I like to open presents and see how people react when they open a present I’ve given them.”
Jermaine King Jr., of Greenville:
“Some things I look forward to are just gathering with family, loving on each other, and even though it’s not about exchanging gifts, I like to open gifts. It’s just good to be living and I just like the laughter and fun because most of the time during Christmas, everyone is in good spirits.”
Stedman Hunter-Johnson, of Rosedale:
“I look forward to hanging out with my cousins, walking around the neighborhood and just enjoying each other’s company.”
Paul Watson, of Greenville:
“I look forward to seeing faces that normally wouldn’t otherwise smile and be enchanted by a present they don’t expect to receive. I always like seeing the nativity scenes in yards because it’s beautiful, but also serves as a reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Lydia Mays, of Leland:
“Being in good health and amongst family is always a blessing. Christmas just puts an emphasis on that in some way. I always enjoy the company of family and being in fellowship eating together and laughing together and just reflecting on God’s many blessings and opening a present or two.”
Beth Pennington, of Horn Lake:
“A new tradition that my hubby are doing this year is hosting his family for Christmas. I’m fixing a full meal for breakfast, including my grandmas breakfast casserole and a biscuit and gravy casserole. Also, we are making sure everyone has a present under the tree.”
Sandra Wells, of Hollandale:
“For Christmas, me and my grandson will eat breakfast and then open presents. When my son and daughter was little we would open presents than eat breakfast but my grandson is Autistic so we eat breakfast at the same time when school is out so we open presents after. He is scheduled oriented. I love how he will open a present and read the boxes before he continues. My joy is him being happy. One tradition is wishing my daughter, Danielle, happy birthday, she was born on the 24th. Every year is a blessing.”
