Gaspard Christmas Traditions & Favorite Memories

By, Gaspard Employees

December 22, 2021

 

It’s hard to believe that the Christmas Season is once again upon us. Christmas, a time of celebration, is a wonderful time in which remembering the birth of Jesus as all our best feelings surface that make this world a better place. That is why we must share it with our family and friends, worrying more about showing them the best of ourselves instead of material gifts. The real message of Christmas is not the gifts that we give to each other. Rather, it is a reminder of the gift that God has given to each of us. It is truly the only gift that keeps on giving.

 

We decided to ask the Gaspard employees if they have any traditions or funny Christmas stories they would like to share during this time of celebration.

 

“This Christmas, I am truly blessed to have my family, friends, my health, and all the dedicated staff at Gaspard, Inc. being part of my Christmas traditions. From decorating the house, putting up the Christmas trees and eating too many Christmas cookies, and seeing all the beautiful lights with my friends and family are my favorite Christmas traditions. I am also very blessed to have customers like you that have given us the opportunity to work with you, we would not exist if it weren’t for your trust and loyalty.” - Jason Gaspard, Gaspard President

 

Jason receiving a Packers ornament as a gag gift (he is a huge Bears fan)!

 

“When I was about 8 years old my first job was walking a wonderful old Lab, Rover, 3 days per week after school. In late November of that year Rover’s people had to put him to sleep due to old age and illness. This was my earliest life lesson in dealing with death and the heartbreak that goes with it. Over the 3 months I walked Rover I was paid $.40/day. I saved all of the money I earned…just over $23.00! In other words, all the money in the world to an 8 year old boy! After Rover passed away I thought long and hard of what to do with my newfound wealth. When sharing this dilemma with Mr. Barbu, Rover’s dad, we talked about what I could do with all of that money. During our discussion we decided that he and I would go Christmas shopping to buy gifts for my 7 brothers and sisters as well as for my mom and dad. We spent an entire Saturday canvassing our local shopping mall for just the right gift for each family member. Magically, the $23.00 was enough money for me to buy each family member a gift. There was even enough money left over to buy myself a Matchbox car (my favorite toys)! It took me many years to understand and appreciate that the Angel that took me Christmas shopping that day probably spent more than I did to help me to realize the dream of finding that special gift for each and every member of my family. Mr. Barbu wasn’t just helping me to shop, he was quietly and humbly teaching me how to give generously without counting the cost. My greatest joy that Christmas was not in what I received, but the joy I experienced in watching my family members open their special gifts that I had selected for each of them. I learned a lot that Christmas season over 50 years ago. I learned the hard lesson of saying goodbye to my old friend, Rover. Most importantly I learned from the guidance and wisdom of Mr. Barbu that the best gifts in the world are the gifts we give and not the gifts we receive. God bless you Walter Barbu for this most important life lesson. You are truly an Angel!” - Geno, Gaspard Customer Service Representative

 

“When I was a kid we would go to my grandparents house on Christmas day to celebrate with all my family. My cousins and I thought it would be hilarious to steal the pies my grandma made and hide them so when it was dessert time no one could find them. We had the brilliant idea to hide the pies in the ceiling tiles of the basement. Our 9 year old brains thought this was the world's best prank and failed to think the pies would be all dusty and dirty sitting in the ceiling. Needless to say my grandma was not the happiest when she found them. From then on the pies were carefully hidden and locked in her car until it was dessert time!” - Shea, Gaspard Graphic Designer

 

“This tradition is something my husband’s family started and something I want to continue with my family in the future! Every Christmas all of the kids' names are put into a bowl and if your name is picked you have to save all your change and dollar bills for a year and the next year for Christmas donate everything you have saved to a Charity or cause of your choice! My husband, Gavin, was chosen when he was 10 years old and saved all of his chores money and donated to the food pantry in Waukesha where he grew up! I think this is an amazing tradition and teaches kids at a young age to help out others when you have the means.” - Ashley, Gaspard Production Manager

 

Ashley at a Gaspard Christmas Party circa 2012

 

“One of my favorite Christmas memories was having a family gathering on Christmas eve and then my immediate family would go to midnight mass. This was when mass was truly at midnight. Us children would be so amazed on how many kids could stay up late and go to church. It was awesome seeing our classmates at church. We loved the eve mass as that's when the whole choir would sing, it was beautiful. After mass we would go home and set up milk and cookies and go to sleep.” - Raechel, Gaspard Human Resources and Accountant

 

“One of my favorite Christmas memories is at a Gaspard Christmas party years ago when I first started. Two ladies in production, Helena and Mila, were from Russia and decided to sing us Christmas songs in Russian. It was amazing to hear Christmas songs we usually hear and sing in English sung in a different language. I always love hearing songs in different languages, it shows the beauty of this world!” - Patty, Gaspard Customer Service Representative

 

Patty opening her gift at a Gaspard Christmas Party circa 2010

 

This Christmas Gaspard extends their warmest greetings and best wishes while enjoying the true Spirit of Christmas with your loved ones in great peace, harmony, and lots of love. May the Spirit of Christmas be in your hearts and minds and in doing so, please pray for the families that have lost loved ones and the victims injured in the Waukesha Christmas parade as we gather during this time of celebration. From the Gaspard Family to yours may you have a safe and blessed Christmas. We look forward to what lies ahead, and it is our hope that you will continue to give Gaspard, Inc. the opportunity to serve you.