The smell of warm cookies just pulled from the oven can bring back a flood of childhood recollections.
The sounds of children's sweet voices singing carols, the pride you felt as your mother opened a gift you made just for her -- they're the kinds of memories that last a lifetime.
Making memories is what the holiday season is about.
Some last for generations. Nancy McDaniel of Colonial Heights has gone to see the Legendary Santa for decades and is continuing the tradition by taking children, and now her grandchildren, to whisper their Christmas wishes.
Others, such as Cynthia Andrianjotovo of Henrico County, have started their own, by singing in the annual Richmond Symphony "Let It Snow" concert each year.
We asked area children what makes the holiday season special for them.
I like putting up the tree and having family time." Katie Murphy, 10, of Henrico.
"I like church and getting out of school. I go all these places and sing for people." Dana Dise, 9, of Midlothian.
"I like to eat cake. My birthday is Dec. 25, too." D'ante Leathers, 7, of Richmond.
"I like buying gifts. I did it at school this year. I bought my sissy a little fairy that smells good." Joseph Dean, 5, of King William County.
"I don't get many toys, but Christmas is something that is in my heart. I still like it because Santa Claus comes to visit us because he thinks we're good children and working hard to get to the third grade." Kemauria Coleman, 8, of Richmond.
"I like the cookies and snow and the no school and decorating my friend's tree and eating latkes." Talie Lerner, 14, of Henrico.
"I like celebrating with my family and going to church on Christmas Eve." Michaela McDaniel, 13, of Colonial Heights.
"My favorite part is playing with my friends at Christmas. I just come to play." Trinity Wagner, 4, of New Kent County.
"We celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. We have two trees and we light the menorah candles." Ryland Maragh, 8, of Chesterfield County.
"I like giving presents to people. Sometimes I make them and sometimes I buy them. I make money for presents by taking out the trash." Jalon Jones, 7, of Chesterfield.
"I like to play and I like to eat. I put up two Christmas trees by myself and decorated them." Shanice Gentry, 5, of Richmond.
"I like celebrating Jesus' birthday." Berkeley Freeman, 9, of Colonial Heights.
"I like spending time with family. We like making chocolate chip cookies a little different this year with Hershey's kisses." Jaclyn West, 8, of Colonial Heights.
"What I love about the holidays is singing Christmas songs." Cynthia Andrianjotovo, 14, of Henrico.
"I like to get presents." Kevin Freeman, 5, of Colonial Heights.
"I like getting out of school. My mom lets me stay up late." Brandon Hockaday, 7, of Richmond.
"My favorite part of the holidays is baking gingerbread cookies and inviting the warm smell of cinnamon into the house." Sarah Murphy, 14, of Henrico.
"I like having parties with all my family and friends. We get together and have fun." Ryan Nash, 7, of Chesterfield.
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or
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