I had a great childhood and can remember almost everything. The times that stick out to me were definitely those moments around the holidays. Dad took Christmas time seriously in our house. The decorations, picking out the perfect tree and taking part in all the fun festivities that come with the holiday season was pure magic.
The biggest part of the holidays for us was of course, family. We had grandma, grandpa, my aunt and cousin come over every year for Christmas dinner. Every year on Christmas Eve, we’d sit around the fire and open up our matching Christmas pajamas, something we now do with our kids. Mom and Dad would always put on a Christmas movie and I’d head upstairs to bed as they got everything ready for Christmas morning. I truly am blessed with the best parents.
Fast forward to now being provinces away, it’s definitely sad to think of those moments now being in the past, but I’m able to look back and smile, remembering what a magical time it was, and that I can now relive all of those moments with our boys.
Seeing the twinkle in their eyes as they watch the tree light up each day, their big smiles as they hunt for the Elf on the Shelf or watching them run to the front window and watch our big, 8-foot snowman blow up for the night. It truly is my favourite part of the holiday season. And now, with my oldest in school, he talks about his upcoming Christmas concert in a couple of weeks, something I’m so excited to see for the first time!
Each night before bed or before their afternoon naps, we let them take turns opening a small door on their advent calendar, and inside each door is a new book to read. It’s so cool to watch how excited they get, and brings me back to those times I got excited with the little things my parents did for my sister and I.
The funny thing is that even though we have kids, I still get so excited for this time as it is truly my most favourite time of year. There is something so magical about communities coming together to put on fun events, or all the lights put up as you drive around town. It’s also a time I get to reflect on my past with my parents and all of those holiday things we did together.
Each year that goes by is so different, but so nice to get to witness all the new memories made around the holidays. This year, both our boys went up to see Santa and it brought tears to my eyes, as this time last year our littlest guy was screaming and crying on Santa’s lap, so our oldest just got his picture taken.
This year, both ran up to Santa and were all smiles, staring up at his white beard, the beard they see in so many of their Christmas books. It’s now one of my favourite photos.
So, as we await the big day of Christmas, it’s so important to stop and take in the memories with one another, whether you have kids or not. It truly is one of those times in life where you can try and slow down to enjoy those little moments and reminisce on those times when you were young, bringing back some of those memories to life today.