I have always loved this time of year.
Never more so than when there were three little boys running around the house. Christmas was a special time and I remember the days of Santa with such great fondness. I recall how the three boys would wake Dad and I up on Christmas morning and we all ventured downstairs together in the early hours. It was magical in every way.
I miss those days of course, but I equally love Christmas now where there are no three little boys running around. There are no three little boys waking us up at ungodly hours to come see what Santa left. Now Christmas is very different, and yet it's still very much magical in every way.
Earlier this week my husband went shopping for Christmas tree lights. He came home with the required lights, a twig light-up tree, and numerous Christmas decorations to brighten up our home. "What on earth are you buying those for?" I asked him. "Thought they were kinda cool," came his reply. We laughed together as we began decorating the house. Well, we laughed as 'he' began decorating the house!
Many years ago when those three little boys were running around, there wasn't money to buy those extra bits and bobs. There was Santa's wish list to fulfil. Now as mature (not sure we can call ourselves such) adults we are having fun with decorations we never had. We're having fun with buying surprise presents for our adult sons (and the girlfriends). And we're having fun because we really do have a stress free/ Santa stress free, festive season to look forward to.
When those three boys were little, Christmas Eve was all about opening the first selection box. Rushing to get to mass on time. Snacking out on snowballs and teacakes for supper before bed. Then it was a waiting game until the three little guys went to sleep, so Santa could pop by with the presents. There would never be a full night's sleep. Excited faces would wake us at those ungodly hours.
Now it's a Christmas Eve where Dad and sons will pop along to the local for a pint. That's after Dad has put the Turkey and Ham on to cook. Mum will, visit family, have a glass of wine, and chill out in front of the Christmas Eve TV. By midnight all will be home and presents will be opened. It's such a fun night and I love it. I'm by far the biggest kid this week waiting patiently for Christmas next week.
Just yesterday himself and myself went off to finalise our Christmas shopping. We had to ensure that Santa still knew to get a little something for those big boys of ours. Laughter prevailed at all times. From texting boys to double check sizes, to boys telling Santa to keep receipts, to relaxed lunch and coffee time. This is Christmas just as I love it.
Santa will come on Christmas Eve. Santa will leave little surprises. But Santa doesn't have that same pressure from years ago. Christmas has always been a fun family time for me and mine. So when people say, 'but it's not the same now with no kids and no Santa', I smile silently. We'll always have big kids, Santa and lots of happy Christmases still to come. Christmas is very different now, but I love it.
