Big family looks forward to Christmas...next summer

LORIMOR — It’s hot, maybe the temperature will hit the low 90s. That darn humidity is up there too. At least there is a breeze to feel on the toes while wearing sandles and you can smell the burgers on the grill.

Sounds like another Stonehocker family Christmas.

While many people and families in the area are preparing for the biggest holiday of the year on Wednesday, for the past years the Lorimor-based family has let Dec. 25 slide by with not near as much attention. The family celebrates its Christmas in the summer.

“We started this probably 10 years ago,” said Virginia Hawkins. The reason is all about family.

“My mom, Lela Stonehocker, is 97. She was not wanting to come to family Christmases in December. At about Christmas time, everyone has a snotty nose or is catching a cold and it takes forever to get over them,” Hawkins said. “So mom bowed out.”

Respecting her wishes, and everyone’s health, Hawkins had the idea of celebrating Christmas in July mainly since the settings are entirely different and people can still act like they traditionally do in December for Christmas.

“What if we’d do it in the summer,” Hawkins thought and proposed to other relatives. “We’d all be outside. Mom thought that was great.”

As more people in the family were told of the idea, the more it was approved. Turns out Christmas in July would have more benefits than just preventing Lela from getting under the weather. Summer 2014 was the first Christmas celebration.

“The family is big. These days everybody is going 100 different directions in December. This idea frees up a lot of people. A lot,” Hawkins said.

Stonehocker agrees.

“It is the time of year we can all get together. Our family is getting large,” she said. “The kids are outside and we have people on the deck. It saves a lot of work.” Her maiden name is Plymesser and she is from Adair County. She has lived near Lorimor since 1968.

The first year for summer Christmas was a camp out in June near Thayer. There were seven campers used. Hawkins said the cabin area only had a primitive bathroom, which was not ideal for Stonehocker and others. The June date was intentional as a family member in Michigan had to wait until school let out for the summer. Stonehocker said there have been years when a family unit can’t attend because of a desired summer vacation.

“Let’s try and make this more friendly,” Hawkins said was the family’s sentiment afterward.

Family members in the area agreed to rotate hosting it at their house and on the second Sunday in July. Hawkins’ brother, Danny Stonehocker, has had it at his place in Lorimor with the large, two-story house. It had been a funeral home.

“It’s big. It has lots of room. The yard is huge. We’ve been having it there the last three years. And we have a cookout. The guys get together, the women bring potluck stuff and desserts. The guys grill burgers and hot dogs. It’s pretty easy going,” Hawkins said.

The family is acting Christmas as everything around them looks summer. She said there are years where traditional Christmas decorations and lights are used by whoever is hosting. Stonehocker said gifts are wrapped in Christmas themed paper.

One Christmas had 56 people in attendance. Ages range from 6 months to Lela’s age. Five generations of the family have been represented. Hawkins, 76, had seven siblings and six are still living.

“And we still have some people who couldn’t attend,” Hawkins said knowing how expansive the family is. “People have liked it from the get-go. Kids are outside and we have had lots of little kids. It’s just a big feast and visit outside,’ she said.

There is a gift exchange. Hawkins said gifts have been labeled by gender and age as those in attendance can exchange with others.

Hawkins encourages other large number families to consider celebrating Christmas at another time of year as it may be difficult to schedule enough families in December to make an event worthwhile. One member of the family was career military and missed many Christmases in December because of where stationed and ability to leave.

Hawkins said the family units still have their own Christmas celebrations in December. Stonehocker isn’t forgotten at that time, either.

“There are some who are single for whatever reason and they do spend time with mom on Christmas. They pick up a pizza and make sure she’s not alone,” Hawkins said.