Think Chevy Chase's house in the movie "Christmas Vacation." Okay, well maybe this street isn't that bright, but every year we drive down Springwood Drive (off Lafayette Blvd) on Christmas Eve to witness the most beautiful lights display we've seen in Fredericksburg. As a young family this is one of our few holiday traditions, but over time I know we'll develop many customs that will be as meaningful to my children as were the ones I enjoyed growing up. So whether you're just starting out as a family or looking for ways to enrich your time together, read on for traditions shared by other locals. You might just pick up something new that becomes part of your annual holiday celebration.

One woman in Spotsylvania already knows a few traditions she'll adopt when she and her husband have children. She's decided she'll allow her children to open one present on Christmas Eve, a new pair of pajamas. She also looks forward to decorating the Christmas tree with her family, and plans to let each child pick out a new ornament every year. When they leave home as adults, then they'll have a box full of special ornaments with which to decorate.

On the first Saturday of December, another family in Spotsylvania cuts down their Christmas tree at the Glengary Tree Farm in Viewtown, Virginia (glengarytreefarm.com). Although it takes about an hour and a half to get there, they sell the Colorado Blue Spruce, which is difficult to find elsewhere, and that the farm reminds them of the place they used to go to in Pennsylvania. This family of five finishes up the day by attending the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade.

A mother of four trims her tree each year with keepsake ornaments. "Whenever we visit a new place, we purchase a Christmas ornament from there. We started this when we were first married. It's so fun to decorate our Christmas tree each year and reminisce about all the places we've been." While they are far from family during the holidays, they host an annual Christmas Eve party and invite others who are also distant from loved ones. Each attending family has to do at least one item for their party's program, and they end the night with children acting out the nativity. This Spotsylvania family also broadens their knowledge each year by learning about Chanukah, as well as Christmas traditions in other countries.

A Christian custom incorporated from Germany involves a creche. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving when they usually are still together with extended family, this family cuts down their Christmas tree. On Monday evening they decorate the tree, and place under it a nativity scene. As in the German tradition, this family places all of their presents to the side and back of the nativity. They also talk about Christ's gift to them and decide one thing they can do for Him during the next year, putting it in an envelope and reviewing it frequently. Other families have shared that each year children, then grandchildren, dress up and play act the birth of Christ.

The "Festival of Lights" at the Mormon Temple in Kensington, MD. is a "spectacular light display..." Fredericksburg Parks & Rec offers an annual trip during which participants can enjoy the "live nativity scene, Christmas films, and…beautiful Christmas music." If there is no availability left, google "D.C. temple lights" to find out other group opportunities, or check out their website for driving directions, phone number and address, schedules, and more.

On Christmas Eve a Spotsylvania family always has pizza and makes gingerbread houses. This mother of four children likes this tradition because it means she doesn't have to cook! Instead, they spend time together enjoying each other's company and making memories.

For the same reason, some hold their big holiday dinner on Christmas Eve. One parent of three and grandmother of two invites her family to her Spotsylvania home the night before Christmas, where they "dim the lights, light lots of candles, have the table set with linen and the best china, and just relax and enjoy a wonderful meal." Afterwards they read the Christmas story, put baby Jesus in the manger, and have hot chocolate. The following day she makes a big breakfast and people snack throughout the day on leftovers. This allows them to spend the day together as a family, instead of cooking in the kitchen!

In addition to enjoying beautiful lights on Christmas Eve, each year my family has a few other rituals in which we participate. We shop for one girl toy and one boy toy and then drop them in the "Toys for Tots" bin at our nearest Dollar Tree, to help brighten the holidays for needy children and teach our own about charity. We select our Christmas tree at the Spotsylvania Volunteer Fire Department's lot to benefit their programs, as they helped our family once in the past when we had a scare. Above all, we try to spend time together enjoying the very blessing that we are to each other. While we are still developing our specific traditions, love and peace fill our hearts every year.

Traditions and customs are important to family and to future generations. Not only do they knit us together in love, but they give our children something to tell their children about the type of family to which they belong. Looking back over the years I can remember the special feeling that filled my heart each December and think on times that I'll always cherish. I look forward to creating such memories with my own children, so they too can reminisce about special moments shared with their family. Whether next time you'll be celebrating with time-honored traditions or trying something new, make family time a priority. And make it happy holidays.

Sarah Winfrey is a freelance writer and mother of two living in Spotsylvania. She has celebrated both Christmas and Chanukah and treasures all her holiday memories.