Clara Wicoff Misenhelter
I’m one of those people who wants to put their Christmas decorations up on November 1st because Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year.
I was so excited when the city put up the Christmas lights around town, and even more excited to get my own Christmas tree put up in my house the day after Thanksgiving. This will be the first for my husband and me as a married couple, and I am excited for both the continuation of our families’ traditions as well as the start of our own traditions together.
One tradition that I am most excited for is attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service at Wesley United Methodist Church. Until then, I will be singing along to Christmas songs by myself at home nonstop.
Cindy Jaro
Christmas has always been a favorite holiday for our whole family. I have enjoyed creating special traditions and memories for our children.
We always attend Christmas Eve Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. In recent years, we have begun playing the Saran Wrap game on Christmas Eve and again, it’s on the schedule.
I always enjoy baking and cooking a traditional Christmas meal for Christmas Day.
As a hairstylist, Christmas is a very enjoyable — and busy — season. I enjoy asking my clients about the places they are traveling, family and guests they are expecting, their favorite recipes and gift ideas for their loved ones.
Patti Boyd
Both daughters will be home for Christmas. Emily and her husband, Zach, will come from Pasadena, California. Clara and her fella, Nick, will join us from Denver.
International culinary themes are our holiday tradition. This year we will be cooking with a French flair: croissants, cassoulet, macarons, baguettes, beef bourguignon, coq au vin. Who knows, maybe even French fries.
We hope Emily, our pie artist, will create both French silk and cherry pies. Mark’s folks, Bob and Shirley, will join us right after Christmas for charcuterie, a board game marathon and, of course, Clara and Shirley’s beautiful voices singing carols.
Joyeux Noel!
Mary Kay Heard
One tradition we have is to display the “old” Santa that came with the Western Auto store.
My folks purchased the business in 1944. That Santa was on display in the front window when the store was located at 15 W. Madison.
Dad moved the store to 320 W. Garfield in 1963. My mom especially loved that Santa and all of our family does too.
Each year we try to remember to take a picture of the little kids with that Santa. 
Another tradition we have is to read Luke 2:4-14, when we gather around the table for Christmas dinner.
Many years ago I typed the passage up and cut it into individual sentences, labeled from 1 to 14. Before we eat, we go around the table reading each part. At the end, the littlest kid says “Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.” That part will go to Hazel Ann Flory this year as Jayde has learned to read and she must move on.
