The Magic of Christmas
What I cherish most about Christmas is the tangible atmosphere that begins to emerge weeks ahead of the holiday. The moment the Christmas lights are strung up and shops unveil their festive window displays, a sense of warmth fills the air. The windows adorned with holiday decorations and the delightful treats from the bakery evoke a wave of nostalgia. Walking through the Christmas displays with my daughters, searching for new decorations for our home or tree, brings me pure happiness. Creating a warm and cozy environment in the chilly days leading up to Christmas is something I truly relish.
The days themselves don’t need to be extravagant for me. With everything closed, securing a table at a restaurant for a special Christmas menu often requires months of advance booking. This is why we prefer to enjoy a gourmet meal at home, cozying up with family – simple yet incredibly inviting. I also love watching classic, heartwarming Christmas films. Whether it's Sisi or a Danny Kaye movie, those nostalgic flicks are my favorites. Do you remember them? I can easily curl up in my corner of the couch with a delightful drink and immerse myself in the story. My mother and I always cherished these movie nights together, and I feel like I’m the only one now who can truly lose myself in this enchanting experience.
Loss and Change
Unfortunately, my mother is not on this world for 27 years, and I still miss her. Just like me, she loved the coziness around the holidays. And the wonderful Christmas music of Bing Crosby, which she also loved to hear, I still want to put it on every year at Christmas. A Christmas is not Christmas without Bing Crosby.
My mother and I had a cherished tradition of shopping together, especially during the Christmas season when we would marvel at all the beautiful holiday decorations. We always wondered what we would buy that year. It was such a joy to spend time with her, often concluding our outings with a delightful drink and a tasty treat in a lovely setting. I hold those moments dear to my heart, and the sense of loss intensifies as this time of year approaches. November 18, 1997, marks the day she departed from this world, while December 31, 1939, is when she entered it. These two dates remind me to reflect on her a little more. Although she is always present in my thoughts, these days prompt me to remember her even more. Interestingly, as soon as November arrives, I can feel it in my body without any conscious thought it's that time of year again.
Last year, we traveled to the sun during the Christmas holidays, which brought me immense joy. It also honors my mother, as I feel her presence with me on this journey. Like me, my mother was a true sun lover; she cherished the sea, palm trees, oleanders, and the tropical birds found in Spain. Sipping a drink on a terrace was one of our favorite pastimes. It’s remarkable how alike we were in our tastes and our appreciation for beauty.
Savor the pleasant warmth, unwind by the pool, and enjoy dining out in the evening, free from the stress of preparing Christmas dinner at home.
On New Year's Eve, my thoughts often turn to my mother. This day holds a special significance for me. I remember her frequently, and while I feel her absence deeply, I strive to cherish our memories. The experience becomes even more beautiful when I can celebrate in a place where I can step outside later in the evening, enjoying the warmth and taking in a view of the sea as I toast to the new year.
New Traditions, New Joy
Christmas has evolved into something entirely different for me. It now represents the creation of an environment where we can relax, free from pressure and expectations. This can manifest in
Enjoy Christmas in your own way, whatever is of great significance to you. That could be a cozy evening with the Christmas tree on, the light candles and watch a nice movie with each other after first having sat around the table together, or maybe it is a holiday to a place where you can get away from it all.
Whatever it is, let's be grateful for what we have and the memories we can make, whether it's old traditions are or new!
I wish you a wonderful Christmas season and a wonderful 2025 full of beautiful moments. May you start the year with the realization that happiness is in the little things, and that we can always find it, wherever we are.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2025 with many moments of enjoyment!
