I love Christmas, the whole Christmas season. I’m the person that starts decorating on November 1st and is a holly jolly elf until December 31st. Growing up, Christmas was such a special time in my family. I still reminisce every year about all the traditions and family moments. That is all I want for my kids, too.
This Christmas season though has seemed so chaotic.
No one really preps you for how much magic moms have to dish out during this time of year to make those special holiday moments. The Elf on the Shelf, the parties, the family gatherings, Santa pictures, holiday cards, decorating, baking, traveling, crafts, gift buying, and the multiple Christmas events in the community. The to-do list could go on until the end of this page. I love it, but it stresses me to no end.
So, how can I create magical moments like those from my childhood in the middle of our chaotic Christmas season?
I’ve learned that magic happens when we let go of perfection. After a semi-meltdown over misplaced gifts and a lost Elf hat last weekend, I had to step away for a minute. While I was taking a breath, it hit me: My kids are not going to remember all the gifts, if every light twinkled, or if I had perfectly decorated cookies. They are going to remember the laughs, the time spent together, and the sweet family traditions that make the season special. So I stepped back inside after acting like the Grinch, and made it happen.
We “solved” the mystery together of the missing Elf hat by writing a letter to Santa asking if he had seen it. Then, we completely made a mess of the kitchen making cookies where I let the kids help. We laughed, we danced, and we sang to Christmas music, and together we made the “magic.”
