Holiday spirit is in the air, and with it come waves of nostalgia for us all. In this post, David takes a moment to look back on Christmas in his childhood at the “Big House.”

Phil with Gray and Santa

“Christmas was BIG. Lots of family, lots of presents!

When I was young, we had two Christmases each year. The first was for the four Bowditch brothers. On Christmas morning, Mom made us wait at the top of the stairs while she and Dad made coffee in the kitchen. One year, Phil snuck down early and rearranged all the present piles to his benefit!

The second Christmas was for the whole Hornsby family. All seventeen cousins were lined up on the staircase in the hall, and a Santa with a real beard would come through the door and give us even more presents! So we really made out like bandits every year.

Mom and Dad would always have neighbors over on Christmas Eve, and I remember young Reeves Bailey, Dr. Bailey’s son, sang Little Drummer Boy every year.

We still decorate the house each Christmas – it’s decorated now! – and celebrate the gift of family and friendship with our guests!” – David Bowditch

What are your favorite childhood memories of the holidays? We’d love to hear them!