My favorite Christmas memory...what's yours?

I remember one Christmas Eve when I was a child, it snowed (a rarity). Being a precocious child (an understatement - ha!) I always wanted to stay awake to try to see Santa. Well, of course I fell asleep and Santa came while I was asleep. :)

But I remember waking up before dawn and seeing that Santa had been there. So I ran to the window, as if he'd just left and I might still catch a glimpse, and on the pristine moonlit snow outside I could distinctly see a double track through the snow, perfectly parallel, exactly like what a sleigh (or a sled) would leave.

There were no footprints. None of us got or had a sled (it snowed so rarely). There was no logical explanation readily apparent. It was - and still is - a mystery. To this day I remember that feeling of magic and awe! :)

I also remember sitting cross-legged on the floor by the lighted tree stringing popcorn with needle and thread to make garland for the tree. And popcorn balls, you know the real ones, with molasses. And snow cream on those rare occasions we got more than an inch or two of snow. Lying on my back under the tree, looking up through the green branches at the glistening ornaments and colorful lights.

And gifts! Chatty Cathy, Mrs. Beasley, Tonka, Etch-A-Sketch, pick-up-sticks, jacks, Mr. Potato Head, Cootie, Mystery Date!

So many nice memories from childhood... What are your favorite childhood Christmas memories?

Happy Holidays to you all!