Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

I remember when Christmas the holiday used to be fun and joyous. Not so commercialized like it is today. You used to enjoy time with your family and friends. Sometimes it was a time for old friends you have not seen in a long time to come around. Reminisce about days long past. Children now a days would not know of what is was like before. All they seem to look forward to is what will they get under the tree.

I remember as a small child, my mother, my grandmother and my aunts would get together to do holiday baking. Nothing was as good as homemade cookies. Nothing like what you find in grocery stores today. They tasted so good and fresh. The way they were decorated was so unique. I would almost feel like the first cookie I was given was special and made just for me. You just cannot get that feeling in a store bought cookie.

I know the food does not seem like it would mean that much. What I enjoyed more than the food was the time spent together. Everyone would be together, enjoying each others company. Fun times just being together to make everything. I truly enjoyed being able to help in the kitchen. I felt like I was one of the grown ups when I could help. Then more time being spent together while enjoying what was cooked. Everyone had smiles on their faces. Everyone laughed and joked. There was so much more to what was going on than just the presents.

Christmas used to seem so magical. It seems so fake today. When I was little I had Santa Claus to believe in. As I got older the magic and spirit of Christmas was still all around me. It seems since times have changed and businesses have people thinking Christmas is how much money you can spend. There is no just being with family. We don't get together anymore just to make memories that last way beyond the presents that have been bought. Everything has become a society of how much to spend and making things more elaborate.

I enjoy making the decorations. Putting up the decorations in the house to make everything seem magical to me. I have grandchildren of my own. I want to make memories with them they will cherish. I want to create these memories with them in hopes, they will themselves want to do the same when they have their own families. It would give me such joy to know they too, will want to keep this tradition alive.

I have tried to bring this part of Christmas back to life. I have tried to have family day, filled with family togetherness. Everyone just enjoying each other and the company they bring. Seeing all the kids with smiles on their faces. I have tried to have Christmas parties like what you see on TV. Friends and family just getting together to be around each other. Making memories we will look back on. Just the main thought, we had a good time.

I have often had a dream each year. I decorate the house with the theme of winter and Christmas time. Making everything all merry and bright. Having that Christmas party with my friends I hold dear. Having eggnog, wine and special treats that I have made for everyone to enjoy. Having that wonderful celebration of just being together.

Then Christmas arrives! All the cookies I remember from my childhood, I made them for everyone who comes around. My children come by with their children. We are all just together enjoying ourselves making these same memories. This is where some magic happens, unexpected long lost family comes by. I actually dream someone would just come by out of the blue. What great joy to expand on this occasion to have more of us together. Yes, yes there are the presents to be opened. Of course, you can't have Christmas with out the presents. But, it is just a small part of this magical time.

What I question is it even possible to have this or am I just a foolish person wanting a fantasy? Can even this Christmas wish come true?