A wreath hangs outside of the Eggleston family home during December 2021 in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Wreaths area symbol of eternal life in ancient Greek and early Christian traditions. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)The Christmas tree is centered in the Eggleston family living room during December 2021 in their home in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is the largest producer of live Christmas trees in the United States. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)Christian Eggleston works on a gingerbread house on Nov. 26, 2021 in his home in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Eggleston is an art teacher and likes to create things around the holidays. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)The table is set with candies for decorating gingerbread houses in the Eggleston family home on Nov. 26, 2021 in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Decorating gingerbread houses is a holiday tradition for this family. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)A collection of miniature Christmas houses rests on a cabinet in the Eggleston family home in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania during December 2021. Most of the decorations are from Boscov’s department store. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)Family pictures rest on a shelf in the Eggleston family living room in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania in December 2021. Visiting family and friends is an important part of the holidays for the Egglestons. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)A Christmas star hangs on the Eggleston family Christmas tree in their home in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania during December 2021. Stars are used on Christmas trees to symbolize the star that lead magi to the Christ child according to Christian tradition. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)A toy train goes around the track underneath a Christmas tree in the Eggleston family in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania during December 2021. Bill Eggleston is a toy train collector and enthusiast. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)The piano in the Eggleston family home in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania is decorated for the winter 2021 holidays. Multiple of the household members play piano. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)The Eggleston family has a countdown to Christmas display in the dining room in November and December 2021. Elf on the shelf toys surround it. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)Liam Eggleston hangs an ornament on the Christmas tree on November 26, 2021 in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania in his family home. Liam wrote in Christmas list in October. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)Outdoor Christmas decorations light up the street in front of the Eggleston family in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania during December 2021. Christian Eggleston puts up all of the outdoor decorations. (Eggleston/ Jour 24)
Christmastime is very important to my family.
The season begins right after Thanksgiving when my family including my mother, Lori Eggleston, father, Christian Eggleston, and siblings, Elise Eggleston age 20, Sadie Eggleston age 17, and Liam Eggleston age 10 take a trip to Hershey Park’s Candy Lane to enjoy their Christmas lights display together and the amusement rides they have open.
In late November and early December, our family works together to decorate our home for the holiday season. This includes putting up our Christmas tree and decorating the exterior of the house with Christmas lights. Almost every room in our home has at least one or two special decorations.
Baking is another fun tradition our family has. Every year we make peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, gingerbread cookies, butterkisses, and cut-out cookies. We also decorate gingerbread houses. Some of our baking is from scratch and family recipes. Some of it is from sort-bought mixes.
“Baking is probably my favorite part of the holiday season,” Elise Eggleston said.
Every year we like to welcome our extended family and friends into our home to celebrate the holidays. Last year, we were unable to visit any of our extended family member’s because of pandemic restrictions. This year our family is very grateful to have each member of our immediate and extended family fully vaccinated so that we are once again able to have large numbers of family into our home for good food, games, conversation, and fun.
My sisters, brother, and I enjoy practicing and learning music. My twin sister, Elise, and I like to sing and play piano. I also play guitar and she also plays trumpet. My younger sister, Sadie, plays the flute along with Elise and I. Liam is learning to play the trumpet and he likes to sing. Each year we like to perform carols for our parents and grandparents on Christmas Eve.
