At Salem, the holiday season has a way of stirring the heart, inviting residents and their families to pause and remember the Christmas traditions that shaped their lives. For many, reflecting on Christmas growing up is like opening a cherished scrapbook—pages filled with laughter, simple delights, and the warmth of loved ones who helped make the season special. Whether morning excitement in childhood homes, yearly birthday cakes for Jesus, treasured ornaments unwrapped year after year, recalling evenings spent baking with grandparents, we wanted to invite Salem residents (and some of their family members!) to walk down memory lane to share favorite Christmas memories.
Today at Salem, we continue adding new traditions to our Christmas celebrations, blending old memories with the moments we create now. From all 21 homes gathering for a Christmas party full of caroling together and Christmas treats, to each individual home enjoying their own tradition, like South Home’s prime rib every year on Christmas Day! Or reading Luke 2 together before unwrapping Christmas wish list items from friends near and far and making Christmas crafts every year with Anna.  
We want each Salem resident to have a Christmas to look forward to here at Salem. Giving our residents every opportunity to thrive and enjoy their Salem home, their housemates, their staff, and their lives! We try our best to make new memories meaningful just like the ones we grew up with. Together, the old and the new shape what Christmas season means to us.

Velda, mom of Karen at Bonnie Brae-

Having a birthday right by Christmas has always been very special for Karen. Her brother started with the tradition of a surprising Karen with a balloon for every year old she was. Karen would squeal with delight as the balloons entered the room. What a blessing to have so many balloons!  

Nancy, South Home-I loved opening gifts with sisters and brother growing up! Kim L., South Home- I loved putting the tree up with my mom and sister on Thanksgiving! Now I love going to the Christmas party with staff too!  Kim’s sister, Krystal, shares:Here are some pictures of when we were younger during Christmas time. We always had to wait to go out to the living room together on Christmas morning. Kim was always the first one up! She waited patiently for me, haha. Growing up with Kim made everything fun. She got excited about everything! 

Alex, South Home-Putting the big tree up in Pasadena and aunt coming. All going into the living room for Christmas! We’d have French toast for breakfast. I also love my birthday is right by Christmas. Alex’s brother, Blake, shares: Alex is correct; we always have a very big tree for Christmas, and sometimes our mom would even get a second tree because we have a lot of ornaments. Our Aunt Cammie would usually make a French toast casserole with a brown sugar oatmeal crust – very good and Alex loves it!

Additionally, it has always been a tradition for Alex to leave cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. This was her job, to make sure Santa had a snack! In the morning, after Santa had come during the nighttime, Alex would always be the first one awake. She knew she had to wait to open presents until the rest of the family was awake, but she would always look around at what Santa had left for the entire family. She would also notice that Santa helped himself to the cookies and milk, and the reindeer nibbled on the carrots. Alex is forever a child in spirit – which keeps the Christmas magic alive for all of us who have grown up!

Charles, South Home -
All the good food and desserts are my favorite Christmas memory every year!
John, South Home-
My favorite Christmas tradition is having prime rib every year at our Salem South home!
Kim R., South Home-Putting up the Christmas tree with my brother while listening to Christmas music.
Kim’s mom, Sally, shares: Kim has a good memory. We always got a real tree! Other than the lights, Kim and Jason loved to decorate. We put on Christmas music and had a little party! Another sweet memory is when Kim was the Angel in the play!

Caleb-Going to see my entire family to open presents at 7 am and then eat pancakes! Debbie, Wester Home-My Christmas memory is celebrating with my family. Robert B, Wester Home-Christmas season means time family and relatives. Here we are over 20 years ago!  

David’s mom, Miltinnie shares: David was basically non-verbal till he was about 7 yrs old, when during Christmas, he suddenly started singing Christmas Carols, and I don't mean just "Jingle Bells" or "We wish you a merry Christmas," but "The 12 Days of Christmas." You can imagine our shock! That was not the song we were trying to teach him! Apparently, he had been listening all along to the carols that were playing and just began to sing. Since then, he talks though not readily. Christmas carols are still his favorite.
So far, even though we do not live close to one another anymore (his brother and his family moved to Singapore four years ago), we try to get together as a family each Christmas. We always have meaningful times of sharing about the Lord. We all know that David is God's gift to us. On his birth announcement, I hand wrote (James 1:17) "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." David has been God's good and perfect gift to us and our family.

Cheryl M., Wester HomeMy favorite Christmas memory is with my sister and brother at the table frosting cookies!
‍Cheryl’s sister, Sue, shares: ‍Yes, mom would make cookies every year for us and continued that tradition at Salem making over 600 cookies for Salem homes to decorate at the annual Christmas party. Cheryl also loves having her picture taken by the Christmas tree every year. She still makes us take one every year! Never with Santa, just the Christmas tree. In fact, here is the only picture we ever got with Santa because she hated the man.

Nicole, Wester Home– I love the memories of waking up every year for Christmas presents! Nicole’s mom, Cindi, shares: I wish I had a story that stood out, but all the Christmas seasons were special. Nicole just loves being around people, loves family and friend gatherings, and loves preparing family meals. She has grown up with her Salem Family in many ways. So thankful to see her change into more adult ways. Jennifer., Wester Home- My favorite Christmas memory is now. I like celebrating with Salem!