The magic of Christmas

I have been saying that ‘I don’t do Christmas’ for some time now. I was first inspired by a friend who had me perplexed some 15 years ago, when I was invited to her home for Xmas and she opened Christmas cards and displayed them on her mantlepiece whilst commenting to me that she did not send cards to people.

I was baffled, shocked even, I asked how could you not? I was still in that mode of trawling through the address book and sending cards to all and sundry. So of course, I simply could not comprehend her stance on this ritual, that I myself had never questioned, along with buying presents for many, and getting the tree up and decorated and shopping till I dropped.  

I recall one year, I had decorated my tree and my sister informed me that trees had Themes. I had been using the same baubles and tinsel each year and added to them if I saw something new that I liked.  I drew the line right there. I was not going to throw out my hoard of Christmas decorations to get in line with Themes. I could feel a shift occurring in me.

I am not exactly sure when my position took a firm change, but eventually I started to feel ground down by the lack of reciprocity amongst family. I started to volunteer with homeless charities at Christmas time.  I started to go abroad to escape it all.  Life changing events and children reaching adulthood also had a significant impact on my declaration of ‘not doing Xmas’ anymore.

I guess I simply do Xmas differently now, as I am no longer caught up in the commercialisation of Xmas. I do not do frenzied shopping. Exchanging gifts with adults ‘just because’ does not make sense to me at all now either. I no longer run away. 

However, this year I can’t escape the magic of Christmas for children, I have started to view Christmas through the experience of a child drawing on my own wonders of anticipation, excitement and delight, and as a mum, being able to create that same joy for our child when he discovered what Santa had left for him ;-). Those memories are priceless.  

Christmas is indeed a magical time, but most of all, a time to reaffirm our love for humanity and celebration of the religious significance; a time for sharing with others; joyous laughter, Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all. I am so looking forward to New Years’ Eve as that is a significant time for me. That period in between Xmas and New Year is when I create my Vision Board and set my intentions for the coming year. Last year’s Vision Board was about emotional resilience and learning to practice intentionally more self-love and care. Now to plan for 2018!!

Happy to New Year to All!!