I have written countless columns about our Christmas traditions growing up in Richland; I try not to duplicate the events but after all these years there are bound to be some replications.Â
We always had a beautiful tree decorated in the living room, which was completed with creatively wrapped gifts. Momma did not let me assist with the wrapping until I had practiced enough to do it symmetrically and neatly; she did not allow any awkwardly wrapped parcels.
Having an artistically gifted parent can become a challenge to the entire family; her gifts were as attractive on the outside as on the inside, the wrapping and the ribbons matched, and the corners were crisp and flattened just right. This was in the days before gift bags became popular so she insisted that everything was presented inside a box, therefore the wrapping could be precise and tidy.