Family treasures Christmas traditions

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Lyndi Dodd, at right, admires an ornament as friends, from left, Lucy McGee, Lauren Durham, Stephanie Warner, Rachel Tieman and Kenzie Hall look on. (Margaret Hobbs photos)

This is the season of customs and traditions that bring joy and cheer, and one Warren County family is making traditions of their own. Jimmy and Linda Dodd and their children, Lyndi, Jacob and Molly have opened their home to friends and family for six years to spread holiday cheer.

Each of the children can invite a limited number of their friends for a night of festive merriment. The night begins with the exchanging of tree ornaments. Each child brings an ornament to their friend and they happily display them on their own tree in their rooms.

“We feel this is a way for our children to start their own collection of ornaments. Then someday they will have lots of keepsake ornaments of their own,” said Linda.

Linda and a host of parent volunteers gather the children together to make an ornament to take home as a remembrance of the night. On this occasion they all made Frosty the snowmen ornaments.

The Dodd table is laden with sweet snacks and finger foods, heartily enjoyed by all attending. Each child is given a home-baked sugar cookie, a dollop of colored icing with which to decorate their treat.

To close the festive affair, the group gathers up treat bags and visits neighborhood homes to sing Christmas carols. The bags are given as gifts to the neighbors allowing them to enjoy their family traditions also. Traditions make the season rich with love and sharing and the Dodd family is making memories that will last forever.