It looks like a glitter bomb went off in my living room. Santa’s delivery of L.O.L Dolls, Num Nums, Shopkins and everything with that flippy glitter stuff in strewn around haphazardly. The aftermath of Christmas is alive and well.
My girls are happily playing with their new toys when I asked them the million dollar question – “What was your favorite part of Christmas?” Fully anticipating them to say the Shopkins Mall I spent an hour assembling or the coveted L.O.L. Big Surprise Ball I still can’t believe I got my hands on, I was pleasantly surprised to hear their responses. Both girls said their favorite part of Christmas was playing with their cousins, visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Michigan and taking a train downtown with their other Grandma.
It was at that moment my favorite holiday quote from Dr. Seuss and The Grinch Stole Christmas popped in my mind. “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
We often get lost in the craziness of shopping for the perfect gift. Myself included. I went nuts trying to find the L.O.L. Big Surprise. Did my daughters get excited about it? Of course. But after they were done unwrapping everything they had more fun playing make-believe with each other. It reminded me of the years when my girls were tiny toddlers and had more fun playing with the boxes the gifts came in.
Experiences and being with family are what make memories. Not toys, clothes or electronics…even though it feels like it when you’re in the thick of holiday insanity. I think of the times we went sledding, attended our town’s Christmas tree lighting, took the train downtown for brunch at the American Girl Place and the day my girls were in the annual Christmas pageant at school. Those experiences are what stand out to me about Christmas 2017.
Scrolling through Facebook I loved seeing the family photos of everyone enjoying each other’s company and having fun. In this digital age, It’s a blessing to stay connected and be able to Skype or FaceTime with friends and family across the globe. We were able to watch my niece and nephew in Orlando open their presents on Christmas via FaceTime. How cool is that!
As you start to unwind from the holiday chaos, try to take some time to think about all of the memories you made over the last few months. Appreciate the giggles and even the meltdowns. Kids grow up before our eyes and the magic of the holidays won’t last forever. Keep taking those photos and documenting every moment. Besides preserving those special memories, you’ll have plenty of chances to embarrass your kids about wearing matching pajamas when they’re older.
Charmingly Bold! 
Love this!!
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I so agree. I know that your girls don’t get to see either their cousins in Florida or those now in Indiana as often as they wish they could. They LOVE being with their cousins and family. I remember last summer when I had your youngest for a couple of weeks and she said she wished EVERYBODY could just live in one giant house! In days of old, that was how it often was, or everyone at least lived within a short distance of each other. So nice that at least today people can Skype or somehow video with family across great distances, to still keep in contact. Holidays, birthdays, etc. really aren’t about those gifts that we obsess about as we try to create the perfect occasion. It is being with our children – really being with them, that creates memories. You are a wise Mama.
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