May the following reminiscences remind us to find the sweetness in the holidays’ symbolism and humanity. Take it from four folks who have found ways to make Christmas uniquely their own.

“Everyone has an interesting holiday story, if only you can pull it out of them!” noted Mary Palmer of Manahawkin. Here’s one of hers.

She and her husband, Mike, have three grown kids and seven grandchildren. So, just imagine the collection of Christmas tree ornaments they have amassed over the years: “enough for five trees, which we used to decorate,” she said with a laugh.