Key Points:
- A North London father, Richard Emery, has filmed his daughters walking down the stairs every Christmas morning for 30 years.
- The footage shows Jess Emery, now 30, from her first Christmas to the present day.
- The montage is set to the song “Where Love Lives” by Alison Limerick, featuring in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advertisement.
- Jess Emery’s post of the video encouraged others on social media to make similar family compilations.
- The family has lived in the same house in Barnet, North London, since Jess was one year old.
- Richard Emery has always had a video camera during holidays and Christmas, capturing precious moments.
- Jess’s mother, Vera, initiated the filming tradition.
What is the unique tradition Richard Emery has maintained every Christmas morning?
Richard Emery, a 59-year-old father from North London, has lovingly filmed his daughters walking down the stairs on Christmas morning every single year for three decades. This tradition began when his daughter Jess Emery was just one year old. Setting the poignant moments against this year’s festive track “Where Love Lives” by Alison Limerick, used in the John Lewis Christmas advertisement, Richard’s footage captures Jess from her very first Christmas to the present day, showcasing the precious growth and joy of the family through the years.
How did the tradition start and who are the family members involved?
Jess Emery, now 30 years old and an account manager living in Barnet, explained the tradition’s origins.
“We’ve lived in the same house since I was one year old, and for my first Christmas coming down the stairs, my mum, Vera, 62, said to do it,”
Jess shared. Richard, who always had a video camera in hand during holidays and Christmas events, took on the role of the family videographer, ensuring not to miss any special moments, especially this iconic stair descent.
What impact has the video montage had on social media viewers?
As reported by Jess Emery herself, posting the Christmas morning footage montage on social media has inspired many others to create similar compilations with their own families. The heartfelt display of tradition and family warmth resonated with viewers, highlighting the significance of preserving memories in an era dominated by digital sharing.
Why does this tradition matter to the Emery family?
Jess credits the consistent filming to her father’s enthusiasm for capturing family milestones. Richard’s dedication to recording has allowed the family to reflect on their shared past and celebrate their annual reunion in a special, visual way. Vera’s suggestion to film the daughters walking down the stairs on Christmas morning marked the beginning of a ritual now etched into their family’s history.
Where is the Emery family based and how has the family setting contributed to this tradition?
The Emery family has lived in the same house in Barnet, North London, since Jess was a baby, allowing them to document changes not only in their daughters but also within their home environment. This stability provided a consistent backdrop for the footage, creating a nostalgic and authentic time capsule of three decades of Christmas mornings.
