OUR TOWN
When I was about 5 years old, my mother went to McCrory’s Store in Taylor to do her Christmas shopping. I’m not sure how she got off without me because I was always tagging along whenever she went anywhere. Somehow, for this particular trip, she convinced me to stay at home with my father.
I’m guessing she promised she wouldn’t be gone long, and that she would bring me a “surprise.”
McCrory’s was located at the corner of Second and North Main streets, where a statue of Bill Pickett now greets downtown visitors, and it was one of three businesses in that area labeled as variety stores. On the same block was Ben Franklin, and on the next block was Duke and Ayres.
As Mom recently recalled that special holiday story, she told about taking a $10 bill with her on this trip to bring back Christmas for our little family of three. For reference, that was the same amount she spent for a week’s supply of groceries. Rent at that time was $35 a month.
We were a one-income family then, and while I wasn’t aware of our finances, my father was just beginning his teaching career at Taylor High School so he would have been at the lower end of the pay scale. Teachers in Texas during those days earned an average of less than $8,000 a year. So, spending $10 on something not in the regular budget was a big deal.
With that $10, my mom brought back a box containing “The Sparkler Pom-Pom Aluminum Christmas Tree.” This shiny, silver tree included 25 branches in protective paper sleeves, a center pole and a small metal stand.
Standing just 3 feet tall when assembled, the sticker on the box priced our family’s first Christmas tree at $3.98. With the remaining $6.02, she bought two toys for me — a metal Jack-in-the-box for 99 cents and a Slinky. I’m guessing she also bought a few decorations for the tree.
Through the years, family Christmas trees have gotten taller and fancier.
My sister Sheila came along when I was 9, and certain traditions have developed over time. Traditions like a Tex-Mex dinner before opening presents on Christmas Eve, driving around town to see Christmas lights, watching holiday classics on TV, baking sugar cookies, listening to Christmas songs by classic country music artists such as Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, George Strait and Alan Jackson, and white elephant gift exchange parties with friends and family.
But there is one tradition to this day that stands out above the rest. One that is the most special, time-honored tradition that I look forward to every year.
Every Christmas, since the year of the $10 McCrory’s shopping spree, my mom brings out the now worn and discolored box from her closet that holds that little aluminum Christmas tree. She carefully unpacks the parts, assembles the shiny branches, stabilizes everything in the fragile stand and carefully adds a few decorations.
She also tells the story of bringing home our family’s first Christmas tree almost 60 years ago.
Now, at age 89, my mom still enjoys celebrating every holiday with a few decorations. Fall leaves from Halloween through Thanksgiving with a few Jack-o’lanterns and turkeys sprinkled in; red hearts at Valentine’s; red, white and blue for July Fourth; and bunnies at Easter.
But her favorite holiday is still Christmas. I’d have to say it’s my favorite, too.
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Join me here in January as we take a look at a few more tales from Taylor. Until then, make it a great week, and be proud of where you’re from.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@granite mediapartners.com.
