More than any other time of the year, the holiday season is a time of reflection. It is the perfect opportunity to gather with loved ones to reminisce about Christmases past, while anticipating Christmases to come.
This year, Hendersonville Lifestyle reached out to several local citizens to find out about their holiday traditions and celebrations.
Desneige Bourret
Grace Place Ministry Executive Director
What is your most special holiday memory?
“My favorite memories are the ones I’ve made with my children over the years with the traditions I have with them. We take trips to see Christmas lights, eat breakfast casserole on Christmas morning, have prime rib for dinner, and of course, we wear matching pajamas.”
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
“My favorite tradition is observing Advent – it expresses a reverence for Christ. I also love putting up my mother’s Christmas village. I adored it growing up, and she gave it to me before she passed away.”
What is the best gift that you ever gave or received?
“One year, I received Pastor John Piper’s special release of his entire collective works, and I cried tears of joy. It was a complete surprise and very thoughtful. Other special gifts would be the little notes or cards I’ve gotten from Grace Place moms and children over the years.”
Scott Couch
WZTV Fox 17 Television News Anchor
What is your most special holiday memory?
“My favorite holiday memory is my oldest child’s first Christmas when she was 6 months old. I remember her lying on the floor under the Christmas tree trying to touch one of the ornaments just out of reach. The image of her innocence and wonder is burned into my memory.”
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
“My favorite tradition is one my wife Dana created. On Christmas morning, we gather around the tree in our den, distribute the gifts to each member of the family, and then open them from youngest to oldest.”
What is the best gift that you ever gave or received?
I have had a bicycle pump for decades which I have used to pump up bike tires, basketball balls and car tires, etc. Last Christmas, my wife got me a battery powered pump that does everything automatically. I love it, and I use it all the time.”
Brenda Payne
Community Volunteer
What is your most special holiday memory?
When I was a child, we always had a cedar tree with bubble lights. My father delighted in finding unusual things to give me and my twin sister. There were always bags of candy, nuts, oranges and apples under the tree. However, there was always one special gift like a pogo stick, a Wheelo, and an electric keyboard.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
“I love decorating five Christmas trees with different themes. The tradition began when I began bringing back ornaments from places to which I had traveled. Over time, I added trees to handle the extra ornaments.”
What is the best gift that you ever gave or received?
“When I was eight, my dad became very sick, and he was unable to work for a while. His coworkers at Aladdin Industries pitched in and made sure that Santa brought a beautiful doll and a bicycle for me and my sister.”
Andy Gilley
Hendersonville Parks & Recreation Department Director
What is your most special holiday memory?
“My most special memories are the annual trips that we would make to our family farm to pick out the Christmas tree for my grandparents’ house. Our entire family was involved, including my cousins, uncles and grandfather.”
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
“Everyone gathering around the Christmas tree and having fun watching the kids pass out all the presents to the adults.”
What is the best gift that you ever gave or received?
“My (now) wife Janice bought me a custom brick that was engraved with the name ‘Coach Gilley.’ That brick was subsequently placed outside the Atlanta Braves new stadium. Needless to say, that gift made me want to marry her”
Jennifer Nichols
Circuit Court Judge
What is your most special holiday memory?
“My most special memory is baking and cooking with my mom, who was an amazing cook. We would cook for days to get ready for happy meals with our large family.”
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
“My favorite tradition is going to the candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve, followed by a family dinner at my house. After dinner, we love allowing all the kids to open one gift that evening.”
What is the best gift that you ever gave or received?
“The best gift that I’ve ever ‘witnessed’ was when Santa brought a Saint Bernard puppy to my seven year old daughter. The best gift that I’ve ever received was a handmade quilt last Christmas. My daughter taught herself to quilt, and she made it for me from jeans that had belonged to my dad.”
"My favorite memories are those I’ve made with my children over the years with the traditions I have with them."
"That gift made me want to marry her."