It’s Christmas Week!
It’s almost here, the day we’ve been preparing for. We’re on the final countdown to the day children dream about all year, and parents use as a bribe to ensure good behavior, reminding their children that Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. We only have to be on our best behavior just a little longer because it’s here, it’s Christmas week!
My childhood Christmases were magical. It wasn’t that way because of presents. My family didn’t have much money, so practical things like underwear and winter gloves were mixed in with a few fun items. Yet, even without money, my parents created an ambience that made me dream of sugarplums and hear reindeer hooves on the roof.
Fast-forward to me, a mother of young kids at Christmas. I had such good memories of my childhood Christmases and felt the pressure to recreate those experiences for my children. I tried to replicate what my parents had done, yet I never felt I measured up. Try as I might, it seemed like the magic was missing. As adults, my children have assured me their childhood Christmases were magical. I then realized they didn’t see the work behind the scenes; they only saw the results, so it seemed like magic.
Now, as a grandmother to young children, I’m thankful I’m not solely responsible for their Christmas. However, everyone does gather at my house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so my role as an elf continues. How does it all come together to look like it’s magical? Let me give you a summary of what I’ve done over the last two weeks, and I know I’m not unique. I’m sure parents of young kids can put my list to shame!
- Planned menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, taking into account all the special dietary requirements of my guests
- Gone to three different grocery stores to buy supplies
- Took two grandchildren to the Tulsa Christmas Parade
- Dug through the attic to find decorations
- Hosted a family dinner and get-together to decorate the tree
- Made homemade ornaments with grandchildren
- Bought special clothes for my grandkids’ school holiday special dress days
- Attended one Christmas play
- Attended one elementary Christmas program
- Went to grandkids’ holiday class parties
- Went to about ten stores looking for presents
- Realized I’d forgotten three people and went to another store for more presents
- Wrapped approximately forty-five presents, started resorting to gift sacks halfway through
- Stuffed six stockings and only occasionally rewarded myself with some of the candy intended for said stockings
- Went to four holiday get-togethers and gained five pounds as a result
- Told my husband three times that I hate Christmas
- Followed by my statement that I wish I were a man at Christmas (only at Christmas)
- I did not send Christmas cards for the tenth year in a row, yet spent time feeling guilty about it
- Went to the Philbrook festival
- Drove around to look at Christmas lights
- Made a gingerbread house with grandchildren
- Listened to dozens of Christmas carols
- Counted presents to make sure everyone gets an equal amount to avoid overwrought children’s meltdowns
I’m tired just reading the list, but also relieved Christmas week is here. The work is mainly done, so I can enjoy the celebration, while secretly looking forward to December 26th. I often think of my parents during the holiday season, and I am thankful they made my childhood Christmases so special. It took being a mother myself to realize that it was not really magic, but my parents’ hard work that made Christmas magical.
How’s your preparation going?
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a restful December 26th!
My girls and I at the Nutcracker in the 90s. I was trying to make the magic happen for them!
