What Christmas means to me

31st May 2019

As cliché as it may sound, Christmas truly always has been my favourite time of the year. Contrary to the expected transformation into adulthood, I never lost that awe and wonder, the sheer excitement even without those magical presents, still searching the skies on a cold and cloudy Christmas Eve afternoon hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa!

But best of all - the beautiful warm feeling one gets at being together with the whole family at this significant time, remembering this special little baby that was born over two thousand years ago in a stable surrounded by animals that kept him warm and snug.

My Christmas shopping is, inevitably, done a couple of days before Christmas Eve! There seems to be an invisible force keeping me from organising myself properly, unlike some of my friends who spend the last few weeks of Summer scrutinising shops with a magnifying glass looking for potential Christmas bargains for "Auntie Flo" or "Great Uncle Larry"! I stand humbled in pure admiration, ladies!

Christmas Tree Day has always been an essential part of the season - a ritual that I have kept going since before my son was born. We always choose a day towards the end of November when we're both at home.

Out comes my Christmas planner where I create a schedule full of Christmas music, Cinnamon cookies & lots of cheer! And, at the end of a busy and exhilarating day, we sit down in unparralleled admiration to contemplate our artwork!

Family means everything to me. Sadly I recently lost two very important members of my family - my dear sister and mother passed away within four weeks of each other - just before Christmas too. I would be lying if I said nothing has changed - Christmas will never be the same again.... but I cannot help digging out Christmas recipes, music and books come November! I still feel the magic and then I thank God for my beautiful son and the rest of my family. Here's to many more Christmases!