Residents throughout the Heart of Virginia are into making their holiday traditions individual.

“Since my first Christmas, my mom has given me an ornament unique to that year. For example, in 2013 she gave me a black bear ornament for seeing my first one while working in Shenandoah National Park,” said Sarah Haney of Cumberland.

She said when she moved into her first place, her mother boxed up all ornaments that anyone had ever bought for her and gave her a “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.”

“I look forward to that ornament she has picked out for that year, every year,” Haney said. “It’s a special part of my mom that I will always have and I carry with me every where my life adventures take me.

Haney was one of 13 people to respond to a Facebook post from The Herald about readers’ favorite holiday traditions.

“On Christmas Eve, we let our children choose one gift that is already under the tree, and let them unwrap it early,” said Sarah Welch Roberson. “It seems to help them with the anticipation.”

Jenna Seamster, of Abilene, said she lets her kids open up one present on Christmas Eve.

“Then Santa comes at 12.01 a.m. we wake the kids and they are allowed to stay up all night and play with all their toys and gadgets,” Seamster said.

Caroline Zimmerman, of Cumberland, said one of her favorite holiday traditions is making gingerbread houses with her kids, “and now the grandbabies.”

Joanne Starnes, of Farmville, said her favorite tradition is having Christmas with friends and family.

“My favorite show as a tradition is watching The Little Drummer Boy,” Starnes said. “Merry Christmas to all the staff of The Farmville Herald.”

Nancy Hodges, of Prince Edward County, said her favorite holiday traditions include decorating lots of Christmas trees, putting out hand painted santas and nativity sets.

“Baking homemade yeast rolls, baking fresh apple walnut cake and baking russian rock cookies,” Hodges said. “Love to make homemade fudge. Fun time of year.”