What Is Christmas Magic?
We just finished our second Christmas as a family of three. It was a frenzy of wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, and delighted squeals. Maddie, our 16 month old, was pretty excited too.
Last year at Christmas, she was just a little baby, a potato. An adorable potato, but still a potato. She smiled at everyone, got in the spirit, but didn’t really understand what was going on.
It wasn’t until this year that I felt the Christmas enchantment winning her over too.
She had a mini Christmas tree in her room that quickly became her holiday night light. She pointed at every light display we passed. She danced to Christmas music in the kitchen. I beamed with pride, glad she took after her Mom.
Because me? I am a member of the Christmas cult following.
The Rockefeller Center tree makes me cry. I quote Christmas movies whenever I see an opportunity. My Spotify Wrapped for December would be a constant rotation of Christmas songs. I would eat cookie dough for breakfast, lunch, & dinner if I could.
As my husband said, “Your mood has changed since Christmas ended”. (Hasn’t everybody’s?)
What is it about Christmas that casts a spell on people?
Is it the lights, the colors, the decor? Is it the beautiful wrapping paper & the festive bows?Is it the new toys? (So. Many. Toys) Is it the train of treats & desserts? Or the stories?
Any Syracusan knows, it is definitely NOT the snow.
When I think back on Christmas as a kid, it can’t be summed up in one way.
It was…
spritzer cookie season with a batch of holiday M&Ms thrown in.
shock & disbelief when Santa came to Nani & Poppie’s house, THEN also stopped at home (thanks Mom & Dad)
Lights on the Lake after dinner
stockings stuffed to the brim, with more gifts trailing down the stairs
my favorite Christmas movies on repeat.
Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Donna’s.
ice skating & visiting Santa.
the Precious Moments Christmas village
Maddie’s got a few years until the core memories will form, but when she looks back I hope that Christmas is a feeling. I know right now it is for me. It’s a feeling of awe that I get to experience in a new way since becoming a parent.
It’s seeing Christmas lights through my baby girl’s eyes.
It’s reminiscing on old traditions & creating new ones that work for our little family.
It’s feeling like Mama Claus when I find the perfect gift.
It’s a season of believing that life CAN be magical, despite its pain.
Christmas isn’t magic. It’s love in its purest form. And it looks different for everybody.
And in my opinion, it’s unique look for everybody is what makes it magic.
