The Christmas Special Breakfast Tradition
Our family’s “Special Breakfast” tradition began in 1997 because of one simple question from a mother at my daughter’s preschool.
“Do you guys go to the Pan Pacific Hotel for their Christmas Wish Breakfast?”
The what?
She enlightened me further. In exchange for a donation of a new unwrapped toy to the local Christmas Bureau the donor received a free breakfast at the hotel.
It was an epiphany. What a wonderful way for my children to learn about the need to help those less fortunate than themselves.
We carefully selected three toys that very afternoon and attended the Christmas Wish Breakfast the next morning. Who knew it would be the start of a 15 year tradition?
The importance of selecting “exactly the right toy” gradually led to the habit of putting aside specific funds. Pop can and wine bottle returns along with “found money” took on a whole new level of importance. Each acquired coin was squirrelled directly into the “Special Breakfast Fund Jar” that lived under my daughter’s bed. Often the amount saved grew to well over a hundred dollars by the time it was needed. We’d divide the money into thirds and go shopping after school. I knew it had to be a friend and sport free afternoon; both my children took great pains with their selections. It was only in the latter years of complicated highschool schedules that I did the shopping alone.
As the hotel was a good forty minutes away from home and the event was unfailingly scheduled on a school day we always had to get up before dawn.
The drive in threatened to be deathly silent. Happily, the majority of the Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfasts occurred at the start of the Christmas season and I’d annoy my silent toy elves by cranking up the festive tune CDs.
We learned early on that in order to get a prime window view table (where the lights on the local mountains sparkled in the dark of night), it was imperative to move quickly. We’d carefully hand over our toys and then head to an empty table. After placing our coats on the chairs we’d zip in line for breakfast.
We witnessed many changes over the years. The 6:00 AM lineups for one. Initially they were quite short. However, in the past five years or so, they grew to the point of snaking down two escalators and out the door into the street. The hotel instigated a clever drop-toy-off/get-free-coffee-and-muffin drive by system to help relieve the crowding.
The buffet menu also underwent a transformation. Back in 1997 they offered mini walnut and banana loaves as well as piping hot scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, real potato hash browns and sausages. Lately they’ve streamlined it to cold croissants, hot scrambled eggs, ersatz hash browns, and sausages. I’m not complaining though! It never fails to be a spectacularly delicious and generous treat.
While my children’s choice of clothing also changed from that of “party pants and dresses” to more casual sweaters and jeans, one thing remained the same at our Special Breakfast. Our inevitable lump in throat reaction to the staggering generosity of our fellow citizens.
There were always just a few token toys resting on the enormous display platform in the heart of the action at 6:00 AM. However, by the time my two had finished inhaling their copious croissants, the pile would have quadrupled. Once we were home and watching it live on tv, the ladder pictured above was invariably buried from view under a staggering amount of toys. By 8:00 AM, with a full hour to go and no more indoor space available, the organizers always confirmed that the nearby Christmas Bureau trucks were still accepting donations.
Looking back over the past sixteen years, one could say we’ve enjoyed more than our fair share of free food and a great view. However, I’ve honestly considered the tradition to be about so much more. The Special Breakfast always ignited in me the reminder that my family was indeed very blessed in so many ways. It also instilled an awareness in my children of the need to help others less fortunate than themselves. I’m truly grateful for that.
This year my children are both away at university. As the Special Breakfast takes place just days before my son’s last exam he obviously won’t be home in time. However my girl flies home a few hours before. She missed it last year due to an unforgiving exam schedule. I wonder if my sleep deprived daughter would like to go with me this year? Time will tell. I’ll go regardless. It’s tradition after all.
Enough about my family’s Special Breakfast tradition. Do you participate in an event that aids others less fortunate than you during the festive season? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
29 Responses
Sweet baby Jesus, I am SOBBING at this post. I was kind of (not really) doing okay until I got to the part about how they saved the money under the bed and the amount of time spent choosing the perfect thing. Then I was done. I can barely see to even type this comment. I simply could not love this post more if I tried and I am sharing it everywhere. And reading it again. Oh, Kelly, this is just amazing.-Ashley
YOUR comments brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Ashley.
Add me to the list of people brought to tears this morning. I love SO much that they saved money so carefully each year to buy the perfect, special gifts. That is beautiful.
Hi Tracie. The part I left out was the expression on the clerk’s eyes as I dumped all the coins on the counter as we paid. No idea why I didn’t exchange it at the bank first. Probably due to the fact that my brain would always be somewhat on hold during the busy December times …
Kelly, ever since I have known you, I have loved hearing about this tradition that you have had with your kids. Your post however, brought it to life and truly reduced me to tears. It reinforced again what a wonderful job you have done raising your kids . I will put money on Meredith joining you this year, despite being sleep deprived !
Thank you Jane. I’ll keep you posted.
This is absolutely incredible, Kelly! Talk about walking the walk and teaching the true spirit of giving. I love that you have kept the tradition going all these years and have the photos to document each year’s special breakfast. What a beautiful ornament to add to our tree!
Thanks Mo! Looking forward to your favorite festive tv shows tomorrow! It’ll be fun to see how many are mine as well.
LOVE THIS! And do you know you’ve posted it on Giving Tuesday? How fitting!
What?!? That’s fitting indeed. Thanks for the heads up Tracey!
What a lovely tradition. Your story makes me wish there was something similar where I live. Very sweet.
Hi Susan. I think this will be the 26th one this year. Initially started by a local radio station and the hotel it has picked up many other sponsors as well along the way so it has continued to flourish here. I wish they’d start something similar in your area – it benefits so many people.
Love, love, LOVE this story! What fantastic memories your two kids must have from doing this every year. I just know it’s a tradition that they’ll treasure forever.
Well just between you and me Kristen – H still remembers the time I suggested we give a bonus gift one year. In addition to the presents we’d bought, I suggested he give away a hobby horse toy he’d received as a gift two years earlier. He’d never played with it and I knew a true horse fan would love it. Fine. Or so I thought. The wee lad was so upset when he handed it over that we had to go and say goodbye to it after breakfast. Not easy to find in that HUGE pile of toys. Can you say “hobby horse in a haystack?”
Hi Kelly, I found you through the lovely Mo – one of my fave bloggers! I love the story you tell here about your family tradition of the holiday breakfast. I am also a recent empty nester and it is hard watching traditions fall by the wayside as the kids’ schedules don’t work well. This year my husband and I will be buying a Christmas tree alone for the first time. Thanks for sharing this with us! xoxo
Hi Sandy! Thank you for popping by and commenting. She is the lovely Mo. I call her that too! I feel for you two on getting the Christmas tree alone. That is a real wake up call from the empty nest! Hopefully next year’s schedule will be more accommodating. Fingers crossed.
This is the best story ever! I enjoyed reading every single word. What a lovely memory for you and your kids. I bet they carry on this tradition somehow with their children some day! I love that you still do it!
Thanks Adrienne. It’ll be fun to see if they do carry on the tradition and in what form. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh Kelly what a beautiful tradition, as you know I am all about tradition too at any time of year and I do cram many in to the month of December. Enjoy your brekkie and I hope your daughter makes it.
Thanks Karen. I’ll keep you posted.
Kelly, I’m catching up with your partner pair posts after begin away. AND, the first thing I notice is that it’s snowing on your page! What a snazzy way to set the mood for this traditional giving breakfast. I LOVE THIS. Everything about it: the kids get to do it all and the community provides an opportunity to set a tradition. And you found out from preschool mom sharing! PS I bet you’re major excited that the kids are coming home for break (and possibly breakfast).
Welcome back Susan! Yes super excited about them coming home. Trying to get as many posts written as I can beforehand. Hahahaha = good luck with that Kel. Uh well – it’s a ton of fun doing it with Mo. Yes the snow adds a little something doesn’t it? Hoping for the real stuff to fall here soon!
What a lovely tradition! I need to start something like that with my young kids.
Thanks for popping in, Carol. It was so much fun and even though it was an early start my two loved it as well.
Howdy my friend! Came by to say hi and happy holidays! I love this post so so so so much! You’re an amazing mama, and what a wonderful thing for that hotel to host! Wow.
MWA xoxoxoxoxo
Howdy, Beth! Lovely to have you pop by. Thank you. Yes, that hotel is a gem. The tradition started off with a radio station over 20 years ago and now it’s sponsored by every conceivable media outlet. Have a wonderful holiday season! Hope Santa is beyond generous to you and yours.