Ah, the festive season! It’s that time of year when my to-do lists expand so dramatically that they seem to give birth to new ones. From concerts and coordinating outfits to baking cookies, wrapping presents, countless trips to the post office, holiday cards, stocking stuffers, and office gatherings, the list goes on and on, leaving me gasping for breath once December 26 rolls around.
Even amidst the chaos, I truly cherish this season. The music, the eggnog, and the magical sparkle in my children’s eyes as they behold our twinkling Christmas tree fill me with joy. I revel in the power to transform everyday moments into something extraordinary. I can breathe life into the trees, make elves mischievous, and convince my kids that reindeer can indeed soar through the sky, along with the notion that a jolly man can magically enter our home under the cloak of night.
My kids still hold on to those beliefs, allowing me the role of the magical storyteller. Yes, I admit I spend a good chunk of December spinning tales—no guilt here! Crafting magic sometimes involves bending the truth a little: the elf’s antics, Santa’s midnight visits, how reindeer are able to perch on rooftops, and the mysterious disappearance of cookies.
But then, the questions arise:
Q: How does Santa visit Nana’s house without a chimney? — asks our curious 5-year-old.
A: He’s magical, sweetheart; he can do anything!
Q: How do the reindeer balance on her sloped roof?
A: Uh… magic!
Q: How can Santa eat all those cookies in one night?
A: Magic. (I wish I could figure that one out!)
I hope my daughter will drop the subject because that’s about all I’ve got! My 10-year-old son might cling to the idea of Santa for a while longer, but my daughter has been questioning the logistics since she learned to talk. I know her skepticism is just around the corner, so I want to soak up every moment of this delightful illusion.
Creating magic takes time, effort, and yes, a touch of Amazon Prime. This year, I propose that moms get to sit on Santa’s lap (in a non-creepy way) to request what we truly need to survive the holidays. We, the weary artisans of magic.
Here’s my wish list for Santa:
- That my children could sip a single cup of hot cocoa without turning into little tornadoes.
- Every calorie consumed in December should magically vanish, courtesy of all the good deeds I’m doing.
- A sudden love for wrapping gifts, like those of you out there with organized ribbon drawers.
- That toy manufacturers massively produce the season’s hottest items, sparing us the frantic search for elusive treasures.
- December 26 should be a national holiday for parents, complete with mandatory kindness from our kids and foot massages along with free pizza delivery.
- That my husband never finds out about that stunning holiday dress I splurged on that totally flatters my cookie-bingeing figure.
- That the name “Johnson” isn’t mentioned once at our Christmas dinner.
- The ability to laugh about everything that inevitably goes wrong.
- Remembering last year’s mishap with the Santa email, so my 5-year-old doesn’t end up on the “naughty” list again—lesson learned!
- My kids experiencing genuine gratitude for their comfortable lives and not morphing into whiny creatures after tearing through their presents.
As a mere mortal, my magical powers will eventually wane. The Christmas tree will become just another fire hazard, the elves will retreat to their hiding spots, and Santa’s threats will lose their power.
But I hope my children will one day reflect on their childhood and think, “Wow, Mom deserves a new car for all that magic she created.” A girl can dream!
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Summary
This holiday season, amidst the chaos of gift-wrapping and cookie-baking, a mother reflects on the magic she creates for her children, the challenges of maintaining their beliefs, and her whimsical wish list for a stress-free December. The joy of the holidays is intertwined with the understanding that magic can sometimes come from a little help and a lot of love.