Christmas at the Robeck's!

 I am not sure how our parents ever did it. Just trying to get gifts for my wife and 3 kids is always a challenge, but, for our gang, it was the "Olympics of Shopping"! At one time, they needed to get presents for a dozen kids, ranging in age from preschool all the way to high school-aged kids.

 They did have a plan. We would each get something of our own, usually an article of clothing, that was needed anyway. Then, in groupings by age, we would get a shared item. The older group, about 5 of us, would get some kind of multiple-player game. The middle group would get a construction type toy, like Tinker Toys or Lincoln Logs. The youngest bunch got some dolls or stuffed animals of some kind. There were always some puzzles thrown in that everyone would share.

My twin brother Mike, me, Mom and Dad.

The best part, for me anyway, was the center of the table, where our gifts had been laid out. It had several mixing bowls, each filled with delectable delights. One was various hard candies, my favorite being the ribbons and any filled ones. One bowl was filled with nuts of all sorts, still in the shell, waiting for the nutcracker.  Sometimes one bowl was peanuts, and another only English walnuts. The challenge was cracking them down the middle, leaving two perfect little cups. These treats were not locked up in the pantry, but, available to us all day! Unbelievable!

We usually had a lot of cookies and bars during Christmas. As we got older, we all helped with the baking, so much so, that I can still make oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies by heart.  The Christmas cookies were different though, and needed more supervision by Mom to get them right.  We were occasionally treated to lefse', since my Mom's side of the family was Norwegian. If you get a chance, you should try some, it is delicious. Just writing about this is making me hungry!

 Some of us played in band and sang in choir, so there was usually a couple programs to go to prior to Christmas. I am not sure how Mom and Dad ever kept track of who had to be where and when!
In Fourth grade I was picked to act in the Christmas play. I played one of 3 kids that traveled all around the world with Santa, to see how other countries celebrated Christmas. All I did was sit in the sleigh, with my winter coat on, sweating under the spot lights. I don't recall having to speak once.  What fun.
 
  I am sure your family did many of the same things, maybe just not on the same scale. I hope that you and yours will make some great memories this year!