What makes Christmas special?

It’s suppose to be the most wonderful time of the year, but let’s be honest, sometimes between the shopping, food preparation, travel, office parties, family gettogethers and numerous other items on the to-do list, Christmas can be downright stressful.

That’s why we, at The Blount Countian, asked people to share their favorite Christmas memories to remind us all what the season should be about. I will never forget the Christmas Eve when we heard Santa’s sleigh land on the top of our house. Robert, Sissy, William and I all heard the bells too. As brothers and sisters we shared many Christmas memories. We agree the moment was magical!

Mary Mathews
Locust Fork Hiigh School
Access Lab teacher

My favorite Christmas memory was celebrating Christmas at my Mawmaw and Pawpaw Foust’s. All my aunts, uncles, and cousins shared dinner together. Grown-ups ate at the big table, and children spread out everywhere in the house. We spent the day talking, laughing, and enjoying our time together. Many special memories were made there.

Amy Foust Naylor
Blountsville Public Library

My favorite gift is my Christmas China hand-painted by my grandmother, Ivalee McCay. Mema was such an important part of my life sharing her love of nature, science, and teaching. Because we designed my china together, it is my most special Christmas treasure.

Becky McCay
Susan Moore High School
Science teacher

My Christmas memory is the year we locked ourselves out of the house, and my sister had to climb through the window.When she got inside she found her new bike by the tree and decided it would be more fun to ride than to let us in the house!

Michele Sanders
Water Clerk
Town of Cleveland

December 25, 2013 was my best Christmas so far. Our son Jeremy was in a motorcycle accident on August 27, 2013, and was given little chance of survival. Our God is a Glorious God and allowed Jeremy to remain here on earth with us. Christmas took on a new meaning last year.

Phylis Brooks
Hayden Town Hall

In 2012 my wife and I decided to rent a cabin in the Great Smokey Mountains for Christmas. It was so very peaceful. That morning, standing on the back deck, I watched my breath enter the cold air in complete silence, and it reminded me once again what this season is really all about.

Douglas E. Sharp, LPI, CPI
Sharp One Investigations
AKA Bail Bonds of Alabama

One of our favorite Christmas memories was when our son Josh was about 5 or 6 years old, and still believed in Santa. He wanted to catch Santa bringing his presents, so we came up with the idea to set up a video camera to catch him. Mitch Latta dressed up in a Santa costume for us, and we videoed him giving Josh presents and then he waved at the camera. Josh was so excited when he saw it! It really made that day special!

James and Shirley Chapman
Oneonta Police Department, Chief (James)
Blount Realty Team (Shirley)

My favorite Christmas memory is going to my grandmother’s house every Christmas Eve. I don’t remember any certain gift, it was just the time spent together as a family, probably taken for granted at the time; but now that I don’t have my grandmother it has become my best memory!

Kim Lee
State Farm Insurance