My fondest memory of being a little girl is Christmas morning. It wasn’t because of the gifts that I received, but because of the feeling I got – and that I still get – in reflecting on it. My mom went out of her way to make sure that Christmas morning was completely magical for my sister and me. She did not put out any of our presents until the night before, so what was a tree with just a Christmas Tree skirt under it the night before, became the main attraction adorned with gifts and all different wrapping papers and bows below.
My mom wouldn’t let us come out until the living room was “just right”; she had Christmas music playing, our “places” on the couch arranged with our favorite blankets and hot cocoa in Christmas mugs, and the yule log roaring on the TV (we didn’t have a fireplace). I remember hearing the needle drop on Elvis’ Blue Christmas followed by Bing Crosby and the rest of the lineup. When we got the green light, we would come out.
To this day my heart expands and my eyes well up with the same magical feeling I felt all of those years growing up. Our stockings were stuffed and it seemed like there were never ending presents to open. We opened gifts one at a time to make the moments last longer and so we could see what everyone else got.
Now, I do the EXACT same thing with my kids. I don’t put the presents out until Christmas Eve. First thing in the morning, I set out the cocoa and Christmas blankets, then I cue the music and the TV yule log, and then I get to see the magic from the OTHER side. I watch as they come running down the hall, hearts expanding and eyes full of wonder and joy. The magic has come full circle.
We only have these little years for a while, so I want them to feel the same Christmas magic my mom created for me. I want them to look back and think fondly about the effort we put in to making every Christmas morning perfect in the eyes of a child.
