The magical time of the year is a season that brings about a sense of wonder and enchantment. It is a time when the world seems to transform into a place full of joy and excitement. This time of year is often associated with the holiday season, as families come together to celebrate and create lasting memories. During this magical time, the air is filled with a certain kind of energy, and there is a feeling of possibility and hope. There is an air of mystery and anticipation as people eagerly await the arrival of special traditions and celebrations. The atmosphere is filled with the scents of freshly baked cookies and the sounds of carols being sung.
Christmas. The most magical time of the year. Or at least it is for me.
The building excitement, decorating the tree, the advent calendar countdown, the gathering of the family and then the joy of the big day itself and the reflection thereafter. I love it all. I always have and so it’s important to me to instil in my own children the same love of Christmas.
My husband is more of a ‘bah humbug’ sort, so some years it can be a challenge. But in some ways that makes it all the more fun in trying to win the children round to my way of thinking.
A focus on family
Every family is different. We all have our own traditions and that is exactly how it should be. I’d describe myself as a spiritual person with Christian roots, but no longer identify as following a specific religion. Whilst I don’t want to get drawn here into the deeper meaning of Christmas, I thought it might be fun to share some of the rituals that make things special for us as a busy working family.
Whilst the nativity is pivotal to Christmas celebrations, we use the opportunity of the national holiday to focus on family - in fact, not just blood relations but those who may as well be. It’s an opportunity to take time out to appreciate just being together. And whilst the focus of our family celebrations might be on Christmas Day itself, we try to make the magic spread across the whole month, so that Christmas day is the proverbial icing on the cake, rather than the full focus.
It’s all about the countdown
For us, it all starts on the first of December with the hanging of the advent calendar. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive – my sister-in-law uses a piece of ribbon with twenty-four numbered pegs on it. I’ve also seen twenty-four old baked bean tins numbered and arranged to great effect. We are fortunate that many years ago, my mother made a felt wall-hanging calendar with pockets. We still pull it out and reuse it every year. It’s all about the countdown - and the treat from the calendar doesn’t really matter. It could be a chocolate or just the school snack they would have got anyway!
But they don’t just get the treat. Nothing in life comes that easily. They have to earn it! Introducing advent calendar challenges a few years ago made such a difference to us. The kids take turns to read the challenge in the calendar before school and then have all day to think about how they would tackle it together when they get home. So, what are these challenges? I’ve found it works best for us if these are a mix of fun and helping – ‘watch a Christmas movie’ for example or ‘wrap three Christmas presents’. This not only helps them to realise the work involved with Christmas prep but also helps spread the load.
No more Christmas cards
Christmas cards are something I used to do. I stopped a few years ago when on the twentieth of December I’d only written a fraction of what I had intended. I felt like I had failed. It was so demoralising. So I decided enough was enough. But I don’t feel guilty. Instead, I donate to charity both the time and money I would have spent - and I send my nearest and dearest and other friends our warmest winter wishes via Facebook.
That said, the kids do still like to send cards to their classmates and to their grandparents - and I’ve found that including “Write Christmas cards to your classmates” and “Make a Christmas card for Gran and Grandpa” happily fill two days of challenges.
The magic of the tree
Growing up, the Christmas tree was one of the highlights of our preparations. My brothers and I would go with our dad to find the perfect tree then decorate it together. He was (and still is) a busy farmer, so getting to spend so much time with him on a shared project all in one go was really special. As the years moved on my parents moved to an artificial tree but the decorating tradition remained the same. It was always considered a privilege, never a chore, and decorating the tree still holds so much magic for me with my own children.
To help make it more special, I gift my children a “special” tree decoration every year: something a little bit quirky, not your standard Christmas bauble. They have great fun taking out the decorations and trying to remember which belongs to who and when they got them. It’s a tradition I started when my eldest was a baby, thinking that when she left home she’d have a little bit of our Christmas tradition to take to her own tree.
Sharing the load
My mum still keeps responsibility for the turkey, but with more mouths to feed than ever before, my brothers and I contribute by preparing other courses for the Christmas meal, We rotate the different courses - starter, sides, pudding - so that no-one gets stuck with the same thing. Being quite a competitive set of siblings, this has elevated our Christmas meal to another level! Of course, we take care to consider the various likes and dislikes round the table - and this means I can relax knowing that there will definitely be something that my kids will eat. Unless they’ve changed their minds again, but that could fill a whole other blog post!
Socks and surprises
Arguably, the highlight of Christmas morning! We wake then head downstairs together to see if “he” has been. Keeping the stockings out of the bedroom reduces the risk of Santa waking the kids. As a child I remember I would typically get one “big” present and then lots of little ones too. In our house, Santa applies the same principles.
Santa wraps every item individually - why wrap one selection box when you could have six exciting chocolate parcels? Toothpaste and a new toothbrush with other toiletries, socks and underwear are also fair game for the stocking. It can’t all be expensive gadgets - and they don’t expect it to be either. The upside of my husband declining the opportunity to be involved in the wrapping is that all his gifts really are a surprise to him!
Being kind all year round
In recent years, the kids have received a letter from “their” elf, telling them how they’ve enjoyed looking out for them this year and calling out particular highlights. It makes them feel really special and reinforces the fact that good behaviour and being kind is required all year round, not just in December.
A favourite memory is the year my daughter wrote to Santa asking that he gave our family “a wonderful Christmas”. A tiny tube was delivered, filled with a shimmering powder - aka edible glitter! The accompanying instructions advised her to sprinkle it carefully on each person’s Christmas dinner which she did with great care.
And do you know what? It worked.
Christmas really is a highlight of our family year and though I am more sentimental about it than my husband, I know that deep down he loves it too.
The time we have with our children is such a special one - and it’s lovely to be able to pass on our traditions and rituals to them, and to share them with here with you too.
Magical Time Of The Year
Family oriented Christmas song with a fast-paced cool & glitzy big band .
PlayIconThe atmosphere is filled with the scents of freshly baked cookies and the sounds of carols being sung. For many, the magical time of the year is defined by the lights that adorn houses and streets. Twinkling lights and vibrant decorations illuminate the dark winter nights, creating a sense of warmth and comfort.
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The sight of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree can bring a smile to anyone's face, and the act of hanging stockings or lighting candles can evoke a sense of wonder. It is during this time that people find comfort and solace in their loved ones. Families and friends gather together, creating a sense of unity and togetherness. There is laughter and joy, but also moments of reflection and gratitude. The main idea of the magical time of the year is the transformation of the world into a place of wonder and excitement. It is a time when traditions and celebrations bring people together and create lasting memories. The air is filled with an energy of hope and possibility, and the sight of lights and decorations is mesmerizing. Above all, the magical time of the year is a reminder of the importance of love, togetherness, and gratitude..
Reviews for "Embracing the Festive Magic: Making the Most of the Holiday Season"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical Time of the Year". The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The acting was subpar and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The whole movie felt forced and lacked the charm and magic that is usually associated with Christmas movies. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday film.
2. David - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Time of the Year" but was left underwhelmed. The storyline was cliché and lacked originality. The dialogue felt forced and the chemistry between the actors was lacking. The production value was low and it felt like they were trying too hard to be a classic Christmas movie without actually capturing the essence of what makes those films great. Overall, it was a forgettable and unremarkable film.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - "Magical Time of the Year" had its moments, but overall, it fell flat for me. The characters were stereotypical and lacked depth. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises along the way. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. While the scenery and festive decorations were nice, it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster story and characters. I was hoping for a more magical and enchanting Christmas movie experience, but this one was just average.