My family didn’t have much when I was growing up. We didn’t get a lot in the way of presents but my mom always somehow made the Christmas season magical. She was a stay-at-home mom, but worked some odd jobs all year - making calls, or stuffing envelopes - to make enough money to give us one special holiday experience. The Radio City Spectacular, the Vienna Choir Boys at Lincoln Center, the Rockefeller tree lighting, or a Broadway show are some of my favorite childhood memories. And although we didn’t get much under the tree, our home was always filled with festive handmade decorations and the smell of baking almond cookies.
I think Martha and I did a pretty good job of also giving our daughters a magical Christmas. But to be honest, it was all so hectic - we both worked full time, splitting shifts because we didn’t have any daycare help (and no Amazon delivery) - I missed a lot of the magic in all of the frenetic chaos of putting it all together.
But now I have grandchildren - 2 granddaughters, too young yet to get excited, and 2 grandsons, both three years old and at an age of wonderment. And I get to experience the magic again, without all the work. We have made snowmen, baked cookies, made tree ornaments and seen Santa.
We went on a special trip on the Polar Express and had hot chocolate, got our tickets punched and received Christmas bells from Santa.
I’d like to say that the best part was watching the joy in the kid’s eyes, but I think I might have been even more bedazzled than they were. There is just something so magical about this time of year.
We do not celebrate a religious Christmas, although Martha usually attends some mass with old friends. I tend to focus on the simple Scandinavian traditions of my youth - candles, reading books while sipping hot chocolate, and almond cookies.
However you choose to celebrate this season (or not) I wish you all the childlike joys of magic and warmth and laughter. And cookies. Lots and lots of cookies.
