The Magic of Christmas

With Christmas less than 10 days away, Santa is the topic of many conversations in our house. Madeleine, at 2 years 9 months, is very aware of Santa, his reindeer, and all of the grandeur that comes with the holiday. I feel somewhat like a child again as well because, through her, I see the sparkle in everything. There is a glimmer in her eyes that I don't ever want her to lose, and therefore, I welcome every endless question about Santa and his elves. With all of this Christmas talk, I wonder about how to keep the magic alive but also make the holiday more than gifts, and money, and all the materialism. I realize that my children are young, and that the explanations cannot become too complex at this time because they don't have the capacity to fully understand the religious aspects associated with Christmas. But, I feel I do have a responsibility to tell them something beyond the tradition of Santa. I guess I can start by focusing on the importance of giving rather than receiving. Luckily, there is a joy that comes with giving, even at Madeleine's age, that is unparalleled to anything else. I have to admit -- I like opening presents -- but I do find it so satisfying and exciting to buy someone the perfect gift. There's nothing like seeing sheer joy on a face and know that you're the reason for that joy. It feels good and it's addicting, and I wish I had the money to do it all year long.

I am contradicting myself, though, because my purpose is not to show Madeleine that gifts are the focus of Christmas. For me it really is the entire celebration that I love. It's my favorite time of year, and the gifts don't have much to do with that. I love having excuses to get together with family and friends, to enjoy meals together and sip delicious wine. I love the Christmas music, the smell of the Christmas trees, the lights on the houses. After feeling such gratitude at Thanksgiving for health and happiness, I'm reminded again of how lucky I am to have everyone around me that I do. This is what I want to pass on to my children -- a sense of appreciation for what we're blessed to have and an enthusiasm for what's ahead. My parents instilled this in me through our own holiday traditions and maybe that's why Christmas is such a special time for me.

We only truly see the magic in the world for such a short period of our lives, and it's my job to let my children truly relish in that now. My concern that materialism is going to play too large of a role is unfounded, because I have to remember that at this age, kids don't care if they get 2 presents or 20 presents -- the joy really comes in seeing the lights on the tree and hanging the ornaments on the branches (or, pulling them all off as in Owen's case). I know Madeleine is much more excited about the idea of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa than she is for what Santa is bringing her. Such innocent and simple pleasures!

This Christmas and for many more to come, for her sake and for mine, I'll do my best to create this magic and believe in it, too.