The Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of year -- absolutely because of the work my mom did to make it so magical for me growing up -- and, now, even though I don't have kids of my own, I recreate a lot of that work in order to recreate the magical feeling. (As I type this, I'm sitting in the soft glow of my Christmas tree!) It's truly the best (though I get that that's not true for many people) *and* I truly laughed my way through this entire essay. Such delightful honesty! ❤️💚❤️💚❤️
It truly was funny, I said sweet but it was a hoot reading you describe the total lack of any semblance of normal. which is basically what the holiday prep is all about. Grins and giggles.
That was so sweet and so true! How the heck is it December already?? I sure don't know. My childhood memories of Christmas are just so... until I was 7, my Mom mainly decorated the house, but no tree yet because my European parents grew up with "Santa" brought the tree too, along with the gifts, which were when I was really young not wrapped. Shoes were left out to be filled with fruit, candy, nuts and maybe a few other goodies. For me, it was always the hope I'd get some brand new pencils. Ahem... little habit I had hoarding pencils. I still do that. Oops. My poor parents... can you even? My gran still lit her tree with candles. She had three trees in her house, including the most magical kitchen tree that was decorated with cookies and food for the birds. It was truly a magical time of year. And yes, we had a real tree, my Dad would cut one down in our woods and haul it back. When I got older, it was something we did together. The tree also had the traditional fence around the bottom that kept the little farm animals in. I still have it. I stopped using it because it's fragile and I worry. Make the most of all your memories with your little girl and Billy. She'll remember them for the rest of her life. Remember to let the magic embrace you too. It doesn't all have to be done in a some predetermined timeline, or at all. Make new ones. Christmas is a season, and doesn't officially start until December 25th. Big squishy holiday hugs. I appreciate your taking time to write this. It did my heart good. (and why the heck was this so dang long?)
Three trees?! Decorated with candles?! Cookies and food for birds?! A little tree fence?! A beloved pencil collection?! I truly adore all these magical details — thank you for sharing them!
Ha! Katie I really loved your story. See my comment back to Hannah. Giggle. I chuckled my way through your missive, it's insanity at its best but it IS the best time ever. Relax and enjoy the season. Peace out.
"My gran still lit her tree with candles. She had three trees in her house, including the most magical kitchen tree that was decorated with cookies and food for the birds." Oh my gosh, the joy this brought me! ✨
It sounds pretty crazy, but it was just the coolest thing, still is to me when I think back on it. It was our normal. Those lucky dang birds too. LOL. She'd pitch the whole tree outside, she had a spot she always put it and the birds were amazing. Suet balls filled with dry fruits and seeds. She loved the birds and nature, I would guess I get my love for birds and the outdoors from her.
We have an artificial tree (apartment doesn't allow real trees) that is five feet tall and in pretty good shape. We leave the lights on it and when X-mas is over, we put a plastic cover on it and slide it into the spare bedroom to await another X-mas. All we need to do is add some ornaments and garland and set in front of the sliding doors in the living room.
My favorite day has always been December 26th. Finally it's over and I often reflect back and wonder if the holidays are worth it all. While pondering that, before I know it Thanksgiving is here again and the whole rigamarole renews.
That's brilliant! And yes, every year I tell myself I'm going to rethink things, but then the end of the year sneaks up on me and I just keep doing things the way they've always been done! Sigh.
We've had many years when the Christmas lights didn't work so I feel your pain 😂. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holidays! Hope Santa -- er -- you, can find some time to enjoy the festivities.
Loved this so much Katie. My mother was a super creative, magic-maker type of person. Which was amazing when I was a kid but did create some (albeit self-imposed) expectations for the magic I thought I would create as a parent. I've managed to let go of some of it for sure as the years have gone by as I realized I just didn't have it in me. And my kids still seem to love and enjoy Christmas all the same. But yes, it is so much work.
The Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of year -- absolutely because of the work my mom did to make it so magical for me growing up -- and, now, even though I don't have kids of my own, I recreate a lot of that work in order to recreate the magical feeling. (As I type this, I'm sitting in the soft glow of my Christmas tree!) It's truly the best (though I get that that's not true for many people) *and* I truly laughed my way through this entire essay. Such delightful honesty! ❤️💚❤️💚❤️
I'm so glad it made you laugh! Happy holidays, friend! xo
It truly was funny, I said sweet but it was a hoot reading you describe the total lack of any semblance of normal. which is basically what the holiday prep is all about. Grins and giggles.
That was so sweet and so true! How the heck is it December already?? I sure don't know. My childhood memories of Christmas are just so... until I was 7, my Mom mainly decorated the house, but no tree yet because my European parents grew up with "Santa" brought the tree too, along with the gifts, which were when I was really young not wrapped. Shoes were left out to be filled with fruit, candy, nuts and maybe a few other goodies. For me, it was always the hope I'd get some brand new pencils. Ahem... little habit I had hoarding pencils. I still do that. Oops. My poor parents... can you even? My gran still lit her tree with candles. She had three trees in her house, including the most magical kitchen tree that was decorated with cookies and food for the birds. It was truly a magical time of year. And yes, we had a real tree, my Dad would cut one down in our woods and haul it back. When I got older, it was something we did together. The tree also had the traditional fence around the bottom that kept the little farm animals in. I still have it. I stopped using it because it's fragile and I worry. Make the most of all your memories with your little girl and Billy. She'll remember them for the rest of her life. Remember to let the magic embrace you too. It doesn't all have to be done in a some predetermined timeline, or at all. Make new ones. Christmas is a season, and doesn't officially start until December 25th. Big squishy holiday hugs. I appreciate your taking time to write this. It did my heart good. (and why the heck was this so dang long?)
Three trees?! Decorated with candles?! Cookies and food for birds?! A little tree fence?! A beloved pencil collection?! I truly adore all these magical details — thank you for sharing them!
Ha! Katie I really loved your story. See my comment back to Hannah. Giggle. I chuckled my way through your missive, it's insanity at its best but it IS the best time ever. Relax and enjoy the season. Peace out.
"My gran still lit her tree with candles. She had three trees in her house, including the most magical kitchen tree that was decorated with cookies and food for the birds." Oh my gosh, the joy this brought me! ✨
It sounds pretty crazy, but it was just the coolest thing, still is to me when I think back on it. It was our normal. Those lucky dang birds too. LOL. She'd pitch the whole tree outside, she had a spot she always put it and the birds were amazing. Suet balls filled with dry fruits and seeds. She loved the birds and nature, I would guess I get my love for birds and the outdoors from her.
We have an artificial tree (apartment doesn't allow real trees) that is five feet tall and in pretty good shape. We leave the lights on it and when X-mas is over, we put a plastic cover on it and slide it into the spare bedroom to await another X-mas. All we need to do is add some ornaments and garland and set in front of the sliding doors in the living room.
My favorite day has always been December 26th. Finally it's over and I often reflect back and wonder if the holidays are worth it all. While pondering that, before I know it Thanksgiving is here again and the whole rigamarole renews.
That's brilliant! And yes, every year I tell myself I'm going to rethink things, but then the end of the year sneaks up on me and I just keep doing things the way they've always been done! Sigh.
We've had many years when the Christmas lights didn't work so I feel your pain 😂. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holidays! Hope Santa -- er -- you, can find some time to enjoy the festivities.
Loved this so much Katie. My mother was a super creative, magic-maker type of person. Which was amazing when I was a kid but did create some (albeit self-imposed) expectations for the magic I thought I would create as a parent. I've managed to let go of some of it for sure as the years have gone by as I realized I just didn't have it in me. And my kids still seem to love and enjoy Christmas all the same. But yes, it is so much work.