Parkwood Village Resident - Sandy Gates

Sandy Gates shared lively stories from her memories of holidays past. Her mother “made a big deal out of Christmas…” The week of Christmas, a tree was brought home and decorated. Christmas cookie decorating was also a traditional start to the week of Christmas. 

Family members began to arrive from other towns, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and new babies- as Sandy says, “a big bunch!” One aunt had five children, including twins, others had four to five kids. What a glorious time for all! Everyone brought food to share- just think of the spread that must’ve been! 

A large Christmas dinner was enjoyed, games were played, the kids actually talked with each other- no electronic devices to prevent that! She mentioned the children playing jokes on each other. Sandy mentioned uncles that were, “Ornery as the dickens; they had everyone in stitches all the time!” 

Sandy and the other kids hunted for the Christmas gifts, but never found them. Her dad had hidden them in the basement. So, they were surprised by the gifts on Christmas morning! Sandy and her mom, along with all the families’ kids, took part in making the Christmas cookies. One year, the family went to Table Rock Lake for Christmas. They took all the supplies needed for the annual cookie decorating! The dough & decorating supplies were spread out on tables in the dining area so the kids- and adults! - could make their traditional cookies. 

When recalling other food traditions, Sandy says everyone’s favorite was the pretzel salad. This was made with pretzels, strawberry jello, whipped cream cheese, topped with sprinkles of cheddar cheese. Yum! As the kids grew older, the recipe had to be doubled or tripled because so much was eaten! She says the boys ate the most! (You might like finding a recipe for this and enjoy some too!) 

When Sandy’s kids were growing up, the Christmas cookie decorating continued. She also told us that her parents still wanted their adult kids to still do the same things they did as children- like going to bed early, her dad telling them he heard sleigh bells on the rooftop. Sounds like the adults’ kids humored the parents’ way of having fun.

For New Year’s Eve, the families would congregate again, at Sandy’s home, and each would bring games and puzzles to enjoy. 

Her mom, she says, was the one that made it such a grand time for all and was greatly missed when she passed away. Sandy endeavored to carry on the traditions; thereby helping keep the family ties strong. She loves the stories, jokes, and fun of being together. Her emphasis was and is that the holidays be a time of the family gathering, even though scattered near and far.