This weekend I will be braving the malls to put the finishing touches on my Holiday gift list. One of the added pressures I have is being the one in the family responsible for our table presents. Table presents have been a family tradition since I was a child. Every year we would have Christmas dinner at my Grandparents home and we all looked forward to the last present of the day – the table present.

There was one for everyone – no matter how young or old. Usually all the females got one gift and the males another, depending on age. They were never too expensive or elaborate – sometimes just a simple charm for a bracelet or a few rolls of film but they were fun to get just the same. I remember my Grandmothers delight the year she gave all the girls a watch. It was not an ordinary watch – the face was the size of a thumb nail and it was made to go on your finger. Clearly it was a gimmicky fad but it was one of the gifts that stands out in my mind. I still have that watch, though it hasn’t worked in at least 35 years!

My Mother took over the tradition after my Grandmother passed away and since my Mom’s passing in 2000, I inherited the task. So the pressure is on to continue the tradition and give fun and memorable table presents. After all, life is about making memories. What’s your family tradition for the Holidays?