Christmas is my favorite holiday. It’s also my husband’s favorite, so you might expect us to go all out like Clark from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (one of my husband’s favorite Christmas movies). Rather than straining our meter, we usually just whip out the Christmas decorations as soon as we can—typically the day after Thanksgiving, but we’ve been known to do it even sooner than that. There’s just something about the Christmas season that I wish would spread throughout the year. It’s cheerful, people seem extra friendly (well, except in the homestretch of last-minute shopping), there’s a warmth to the winter season, and an emphasis on quality family time.

The magic in the Christmas air warms my heart and melts all our troubles away, at least for a moment. I think that’s why, when we’ve had a particularly difficult year, we will often decorate extra early to try and escape to a world of magic. A world where peace and joy reign and problems can be forgotten. A world where we can all be together and enjoy some therapeutic down time, surrounded by good food and love.

As soon as the air gets a chill in it, we light up our fireplace. Lane starts playing Christmas music as early as Halloween. I’ve even caught my husband and daughters watching Christmas movies beginning in June. We’ve established a list of must-see movies every holiday season that includes several we each grew up with and some new additions. I grew up watching the original animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and now my daughters love the 2018 version. Another childhood favorite of mine is White Christmas. My high school best friend and I even dressed up and reenacted the “Sisters” dance scene (the best version is when Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye performed it) for a dear friend who was battling lung cancer. Here’s a shortened version (ha!) of our must-see Christmas movie list:

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (and the 2018 version)
• White Christmas
• Home Alone
• A Hobo’s Christmas
• A Christmas Story (my brother’s absolute favorite that played for 24 hours every Christmas Eve)
• Christmas with the Kranks
• The Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials
• The Santa Clause
• A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott version)
• Miracle on 34th Street (the original version is my mom’s favorite Christmas movie)
• Elf (this is probably both my daughters’ favorite)
• The Polar Express
• Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas
• Meet Me in Saint Louis
• A Garfield Christmas Special

When I was a kid, I always insisted we get a real tree. My parents begrudgingly agreed to uphold that tradition for me every single year that I lived at home and even for several years after I moved out. We always got our tree from the same local vendor who offered free popcorn and hot cocoa while you picked out your tree—a tradition I looked forward to each holiday season. But I have to admit, when you’re the one cleaning up all the needles and keeping it watered, those reusable store-bought trees become quite alluring—not to mention having to deal with untangling several feet of lights. After the fire, Lane and I bought a pre-lit Christmas tree from Costco. It’s a simple three-piece, pop-into-place-and-plug-in tree, and I love it. With the click of a button, we can have white lights, colorful lights, flashing or steady—whatever strikes us in that moment.

Since having our kids, Lane and I have established some fun new traditions of our own, like riding the Skunk Train’s Magical Christmas Train and camping over on the coast to partake in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens’ Festival of Lights (since COVID, things have unfortunately altered a bit from both of these usual festivities). We also love to make fancy Christmas cookies with colorful frosting and sprinkles. We clear off our bar, get extra messy, and have a blast together! (Scroll down to see the recipe!)

It’s funny how the concept of getting presents dulls in comparison to giving them as you get older. As a child, I could hardly wait for Christmas morning when I got to tear into my presents and see what new toys I got. I never gave it a second thought that I didn’t give anyone else presents, and receiving socks was always a huge disappointment. As I grew into my teens and got my first job, receiving was still a highlight (and getting clothes became acceptable), but I also enjoyed being able to give back, even if it was just a little bit.

As an adult—and especially as a parent—giving far outweighs receiving (and I look forward to getting some new wool boot socks for winter riding!). Rather than dreaming of what I might get, I imagine how my kids will react upon seeing what we got for them. As a parent, I find myself waking early once again, not from the excitement of opening presents, but from the excitement of seeing my kids wake up and realize it’s the ever-magical Christmas morning.

Just like my dad always did when I still lived at home, I get up long before anyone else to start the coffee pot, light the tree, play some Christmas music, and get ready to shout “Merry Christmas” the moment my daughters’ eyes flutter open. Watching the look of excitement on Ember and Karissa’s faces and getting them that perfect gift that may not even cost very much is absolutely priceless. Ever see that video of the little boy who opens a present to discover an avocado, and yet he is still grateful? That’s my daughters, and it makes giving them presents even more fulfilling. But as excited as Ember and Karissa are about the countdown to Christmas (10 more days!!), I just might be even more excited.

So, as one of my clients said to me, “May your holidays and New Year be blessed with prosperity and all good things in abundance.” (Thanks for the beautiful Christmas wish, Tracy!)

From my family to yours this holiday season, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Santa’s Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing Recipes