Ah, the holiday season. That delightful time of year when my to-do lists seem to multiply like rabbits, resulting in a chaotic mess of tasks. From concerts and festive outfits to cookie-baking and gift-wrapping, the list never seems to end. Throw in trips to the post office, holiday cards, stocking stuffers, and office parties, and I’m left gasping for air by December 26.
Yet, despite the overwhelming hustle, I genuinely cherish this season. The music, the warm eggnog, and the sparkle in my kids’ eyes when they first catch sight of our beautifully adorned tree bring me immense joy. I still possess the power to infuse magic into the mundane. I can animate our Christmas tree in my children’s eyes, turn plush elves into playful companions, and convince them that reindeer can soar through the sky, not to mention that a jolly man can visit our home in the dead of night—and we’re all just fine with it.
At this point, my kids are still in the phase where they believe in all the holiday wonders, making me their self-proclaimed magic-maker. Yes, I spend an awful lot of December crafting elaborate tales for them. And no, I don’t feel guilty about it. Sometimes, creating magic means spinning a few fibs about Santa, the elf on the shelf, flying reindeer, and even the cookies I might have indulged in the night before.
But then the questions come, relentless and probing:
Q: “How does Santa visit Grandma’s house when she doesn’t even have a chimney?” my inquisitive 5-year-old asks.
A: “He’s magic, sweetie. He can do anything.”
Q: “And how do the reindeer stay on her sloped roof?”
A: “Um…magic?”
Q: “How can Santa eat all those cookies in one night?”
A: “Magic. (Honestly, I wish I knew.)”
I can only hope my daughter lets it slide, as that’s about the extent of my answers. My 10-year-old son will probably cling to the belief in Santa until he’s well into adulthood, but my daughter has been analyzing the logistics of it all since she could talk. I know it won’t be long before she sees through the veil (and hopefully spills the beans to her brother), so I want to relish this enchanting phase for as long as possible.
Crafting this magic does require a considerable investment of time, effort, and yes, a bit of help from Amazon Prime. This year, I propose we mothers get to sit on Santa’s lap, not inappropriately, but to ask for what we truly need to survive the holiday chaos. As the weary architects of holiday joy, we deserve a little something:
- The ability for my children to sip a single cup of hot chocolate without transforming into a creature from a horror movie.
- That every calorie consumed in December will magically disappear due to the good deeds I’m performing for everyone else.
- A sudden love for wrapping gifts, just like those enthusiastic folks who have organized ribbon collections and wrapping stations.
- That toy manufacturers actually mass-produce the hottest items of the season so that moms aren’t forced to buy stuffed penguins out of the back of a truck like secret agents.
- December 26 should be declared a national holiday for parents, complete with mandatory kindness from kids, foot rubs, and free pizza delivery.
- That my husband never sees the receipt for that stunning holiday dress I bought for myself, even if it was a bit extravagant but works wonders for my post-cookie-binge figure.
- The name “Bannon” should not be mentioned once during Christmas dinner.
- The ability to laugh at everything that goes awry.
- That I remember not to label my 5-year-old as “naughty” when creating the custom email from Santa this year—lesson learned!
- My children experience genuine gratitude for the comfortable lives they lead and don’t devolve into whining monsters the moment they finish unwrapping their presents, like every previous year.
I’m only human, after all, and my magic-making capabilities will start to dwindle. The Christmas tree will become just another fire hazard, the elves will vanish until next year, and Santa’s threats will lose their impact.
But I hope that one day, my kids will look back and say, “Wow, Mom truly deserves a new car for the magical childhood she crafted for us.” A girl can always dream.
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In summary, while the magic of the holidays can be exhausting, it’s also a time filled with joy and memories that last a lifetime.