The Journal Times asked readers about what matters most to them for the holidays. We are running the responses to different topics every day through Christmas Day, and online at

http://www.journaltimes.com/holidays

Tradition of singing

My folks came over from Denmark in 1889. My father's parents, Hans and Meta Olsen, owned The Central Hotel (then located across from City Hall on Washington Avenue).

The Danish custom of "singing carols around the tree" was always the highlight for me. After we finished singing, we would open a gift, or two.

My father died in 1929 and my mother continued the tradition until she passed away in 1961. My husband and I continued the tradition (although he was German, French, Welsh and English) until he passed away in 1994. To this day, I have been able to keep this tradition alive with the help of my family.

We now have the fifth generation to participate. It gets to be a bit crowded, so we start with the youngest and go to the oldest - one generation at a time. I think it is something memorable for the children and the "young at heart."

Glaedig Jul,

Lois (Olsen) Fritchen, 83

Franksville

Gifts and breakfast

The holiday season is upon us once again, and each year my husband and I work extremely hard to create positive memories for our 10 children.

We have two major Christmas holiday traditions. The first tradition is that each year on Christmas Eve, we open two presents. The children always know that one of the gifts will be a new pair of pajamas; the second gift though is always a surprise. This tradition has been in place at our house since our oldest (now 18) was born.

Each Christmas Eve, my sons and I put together a breakfast egg casserole and stuffed French toast for Christmas breakfast. Then on Christmas morning, prior to opening presents, both breakfast dishes begin cooking. Then presents are opened and by the time we finish, breakfast is ready.

Our family believes that positive memories are important for our children. For this reason we believe that family traditions are important during the holiday season.

Merry Christmas from the Lojeski family,

Heather Lojeski, 38

1906 LaSalle St.

Racine

Christmas Eve fun

Each Christmas my family goes to the Four Mounds. My family, along with my extended family, would stay there for a week. On Dec. 24 we are busy preparing for Christmas, some of us are wrapping presents or decorating cookies or running errands or cooking. Then at 4 p.m., we all get dressed up for church. When we get home we relax, eat, open presents and take pictures.

Santa taps on the window and all of the kids get really excited. Then he walks through the front door, sits down and the kids take turns sitting on Santa's lap. Then he reads us stories and gives us candy canes. Then Santa leaves. We go to bed with smiles on our faces and excited about the next day.

Mairead Quill, 13

1803 Secretariat Lane

Caledonia

A winter picnic

My favorite holiday tradition is our family's Christmas Eve "picnic." Mom would make barbecue, potato salad, Jell-O, butter cookies and Dutch apple juice every year to go with potato chips and soda. Mom thought it was fun to serve summer food in winter, especially because our Christmas Day meal was huge. My parents both passed away 15 years ago, but the tradition lives on.

Elizabeth Lisenby, 60

564 Orchard St.

Burlington

A tree of memories

My favorite holiday tradition began when I lived in Lexington, Ky., for nine years. The first year I was there, a family in the church where I served as pastoral associate gave me a 4-foot Christmas tree. During the next few years, many relatives and friends, both in Wisconsin and Kentucky, gave me ornaments.

In respect for the Advent season leading up to the celebration of Christmas, I string my lights on the tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. During each day of Advent, I hang one or two ornaments on the tree and I remember fondly the people who gave them to me. When I was in Lexington, this was a way of deepening my relationship with members of the congregation I served and it was a way of being in spirit with my family and friends back home.

Now, 20 years later, I continue this tradition - making my preparation for Christmas especially meaningful - as I reflect on the love of family and friends and the real meaning of Christmas: God's love for us.

Sister Jean Ferstl, 67

4240 N. Main St.

Caledonia

We got so many great letters, we simply couldn't fit them all in the newspaper. Some entries have been edited for space, and personal information has been withheld upon request. To see the full versions, and even more letters, visit

http://www.journaltimes.com/holidays