The Ramsey family has some deep-rooted holiday traditions.

 

Christmas is the one day each year that the family gathers in their log home, located on Hinkle Lake Road. The residential structure is one of Bridgeport’s first, built in 1834 by Simeon Lang. Decked in pine, white lights and antique fixtures, the atmosphere is perfect for a good old-fashioned Christmas. Constructed in wood from the farm, the house reminds the Ramseys of their appreciation for family, their city and its history.

 

Following Christmas Eve dinner, each family member opens a party popper that contains a paper crown, a joke and a game. Sporting their colorful, whimsical headwear, they each play with his or her tiny new toy as they share their riddles and jokes.

 

The Ramsey family believes the wonder of Christmastime is for those of all ages. This year, those ages will span more than seven decades. The oldest is Bridgeport City Attorney Dean Ramsey and the youngest is baby Jack, Ramsey’s  grandchild and first male descendent. It is likely that this Christmas will be special in more ways than one.

 

Cassie Ramsey Busdeker, the Greater Bridgeport CVB executive director, is a member of that family. It was her story that inspired this series about holiday family traditions.

 

Maggie Lohmann is a recent graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and her little sister Claire is a sophomore nursing student at West Virginia University. Since the girls were small, the Lohmann family has read Robert Sabuda’s “Night Before Christmas” popup book when they returned from Christmas Eve church and just before bedtime.

 

The tradition is a special one, based on a special gift.

 

“The book was a gift from Mike’s aunt and uncle, so there is automatic family importance built in,” said Amy Lohmann. “I love that we do it after church each year, showing that what’s most important coms first and then we have the magical, childlike portion afterward.”

 

Lohmann loves that her girls still want their dad to light the fireplace and for the family to settle in and read. 

 

“I can see us doing this hopefully with grandchildren some day,” said Amy Lohmann. “It has also become a tradition to give the book to friends and family we love on special occasions like weddings or babies’ births.”

 

Saint Stephen’s Day – also called Feast of the Saint Stephen – commemorates the first Christian martyr. Observed Dec. 26, it is an official public holiday in several countries, but not in the U.S. However, the family of Jared St. Martin Brown have made it a fun family tradition; one which they call silly and simple, but also one with a cause.

 

“We knew from our love of other cultures that several other countries had a second day of Christmas and we wanted one too,” said Albani St. Martin Brown. “Jared had heard of Saint Stephen’s Day – or Wren Day – and we loved how people got together to eat leftovers and spend time together. It was a convenient time because many friends are in (town) visiting family or have a day off already.”

 

The couple observed its first Saint Stephen’s Day the year they were married.

 

Pre-COVID-19, the family hosted as many as 45 people.

 

“We have games that we always play and fun holiday music playing,” she said. “We collect ‘pennies’ to bury the wren – money that goes to Heifer International to buy chicken for people in need.”

 

This year, the family will host their 18^th Annual Saint Stephen’s Day party online, but it will be special – as always.

 

Read more family holiday traditions in the coming weeks. Want to share yours? Email Julie@connect-bridgeport.com