There are several reasons to enjoy the holidays; family, friends, giving, parties, food. Everyone may have their personal favorite.

However, all the aspects of celebrating the holidays culminate into celebration. And with celebration comes the creation of time-tested memories. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Winter Solstice or whatever seasonal celebration a family celebrates which rolls around between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, the memories created each year are a part of what sustains a desire to continue the seasonal traditions.

The following is the first part in a series of responses from members of the community, municipalities and public agencies in leadership roles who have shared their favorite memories from the holidays, starting with my own.

Benn Farrell — Freelance journalist and sales coach

My favorite memory of the holidays was a trip my wife Heather and I took to New York City the weekend after Thanksgiving that year. It was the first time either of us had been to New York City. We were there for four days and during that time we toured midtown Manhattan, just south of Central Park to Times Square to see the city decorated for Christmas, including 5th Avenue window decorations and the tree outside 30 Rockefeller Center. We spent time walking through Central Park, seeing all the locations we had seen previously in motion pictures, including Home Alone 2, Balto and pretty much every Woody Allen movie ever. We saw two Broadway shows; The Lion King and Wicked, both of which were amazing. We took the subway uptown to an underground comedy club where we were introduced to comedian Nikki Glaser (TV’s F-Boy, Comedy Central Roasts) and we spent $500 for arguably the most fantastic dinner at The Lambs Club, the restaurant of celebrity chef and Iron Chef, Geoffrey Zakarian.

However, one of the highlights was when Heather and I were meandering through the Christmas craft market at the corner of Central Park near Columbus Circle. It was packed shoulder to shoulder with patrons, very difficult to get from one end to the other. A man shorter than my wife bumped into her and in this cool raspy voice apologized. Outside of his voice, his persona was pretty nondescript. Heather said, “Sorry about that. It’s crazy how people pack in for Christmas ornaments.” To which he said, “I like a challenge,” and went on his way. About five steps forward after the exchange, Heather and I stopped and had the same realization. We had just bumped into Al Pacino, who was on Broadway at the time starring in a revival of Glengarry Glen Ross.

Glant Havenar — Mayor of Palmer Lake

I absolutely love the tradition of our Palmer Lake Mailbox to the North Pole. When I found the mailbox a couple years ago, I brought it home thinking it would simply be a fun tradition for the kids. Then I started reading the letters and gathering a few Secret Santa Society members to answer them. What I’ve come to appreciate is how sincerely grateful I am to be able to write back to many children year after year. Answering children’s letters and hearing firsthand of their hopes and dreams has been life changing for me.

During this busy season, sitting down at the end of a long day, writing back to our young writers is rewarding. It is a beautiful glimpse into the future leaders of our community. Santa’s mailbox can be found daily in Palmer Lake throughout the holiday season and people can check the Town of Palmer Lake website for weekly mailbox locations.

Andy Kovacs — Chief of Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District

Growing up, our family would celebrate the arrival of Santa and gift opening on Christmas eve. Our family, including Dad, Mom and two younger sisters, would get in the car and drive through various neighborhoods admiring Christmas lights and decorations. My dad is a physician and would inevitably get an “emergency” at the hospital requiring his attention. The rest of the family would continue and conclude with returning home. The rotating honor between my two sisters and I was who was to open the front door and confirm Santa had come to the house dropping off our gifts.

Of course, today, with us being grown up and having our own families, the tradition has faded, but my sisters still talk about whose turn it is to open the door to reveal the magic of Santa and Christmas.

Mitch LaKind — Mayor of Monument

I’m not sure exactly how to explain this, but during my years in the U.S. Navy, I would always volunteer to work for someone else on Christmas so that a sailor could spend the time with their family.

Christmas wasn’t the primary holiday that I celebrated then, so it was important to me to give someone who did celebrate Christmas the opportunity to be with their family. To me, that was the spirit of Christmas.

Happy holidays to you and your family.

Terri Hayes — Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce president and CEO

Growing up in the 1970’s, we had a dog named Andy that was a black mid-sized poodle. My dad had adopted this dog from a co-worker that we were pretty sure had abused him. So we were determined to give him the life he deserved.

In the living room, we had a round fabric swivel chair, and Andy loved to curl up in it. So, every Christmas morning, as we unwrapped gifts, each of us, when we took off the bow, would go over to the chair and place the bow along the top of the char so that by the end, Andy was framed in bows.

That was the one picture we always had to remember to take, with Andy sitting in his decorated chair. Bows are not used as much anymore, but whenever I see one, I go right back to Andy in this Christmas throne.

The Town of Palmer Lake’s Mailbox to the North Pole has become one of Mayor Glant Havenar’s favorite holiday traditions in the community. The mailbox moves around the community to different locations where children are able to send a letter to the North Pole with their desires for the season celebrations.

Courtesy Glant Havenar