REMEMBER THE EXCITEMENT you felt as a child about Christmas? The I-can’t-wait-until-we-can-open-our-presents sort of excitement. Perhaps some of you didn’t wait, opting to search for hidden packages when your parents weren’t around or were too busy to notice. You found, carefully unwrapped and re-wrapped your gifts because you just could not wait until the big day. How did that work out for you?
My son will tell you it’s not much fun to know what you’re getting for Christmas. Unbeknownst to me, he scouted out his gifts one December. Oh, the confessions of adult children (which seems such an oxymoron).
The other day my 7 ½-year-old granddaughter asked her mom why she wasn’t more excited about Christmas. If Izzy ever becomes a mom, she’ll understand. As moms, Amber and I get it. There’s so much to do. Cards to send. Shopping to do. Gifts to wrap. Cookies to bake. Holiday meals to prepare. Christmas events to attend. It’s a lot to cram into a single month.
So, yes, Izzy’s observation about her mom’s tempered Christmas cheer was accurate. Kids experience the joy, magic and fun of Christmas without any of the work. As it should be. Time passes too quickly and we grow into adulthood with all the responsibilities that entails.
I want my dear, sweet granddaughter to hold onto the magic of Christmas for as long as she can. These early years of her life are wonderful and magical and precious. That she holds such excitement for Christmas is exactly as it should be when she’s seven going on eight.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I so agree with all of this and I still hold a bit of that magic and excitement in my heart
Yes, I hold some of both, too. Just not overload like Izzy and her brother, Isaac.
You are exactly right. The real Magic of Christmas belongs to the little ones. 🙂
It seems it does. I loved watching my grandson’s preschool Christmas pageant recently. They didn’t rehearse and it went as any preschool program does. I also loved watching my granddaughter ring a hand bell in her Sunday School Christmas program last Sunday. Oh, and the singing and the sweet role-playing of the Holy Family. But the cutest was the sheep.
Despite my intent to totally enjoy the season I managed to overbook again! But today I have nothing on the calendar so I can clean and do food prep and chill!
It sounds like you have a busy day ahead at home. I know you have family coming so there’s lots to do. Enjoy, my friend.
Sooo sweet. yes we can be amazed with the grandkids excitement. we always want the best for them and ask God to protect them in these days where kids tend to grow up too fast. Bring us back to simpler times.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. thank u for such great Minnesota memories. lov kathy
Memories and simpler times, ah, yes. And you’re right. We don’t want those grandkids growing up too fast. They already are. A blessed Christmas to you and yours, Kathy. With love from Minnesota.
Lovely for children, and Father Christmas has already left Australia, and is on his way west. I’ll give him brownie and a glass of wine for his long flight onwards to you and yours. I hope you and Izzy can watch A Christmas Carol together over the holiday- she’s just the right age for the Muppet version and I remember you saying you’d like to see what all the fuss is about! A good way to distract from festive overload too. Enjoy the day with Scrooge, and the true spirit of Christmas he learns.
Wow, you give Santa a brownie and wine? I expect he appreciates a break from cookies and milk.
I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and I’ll be blogging about it.
Sorry, I am a bit late. My wife of 55 plus years has crossed the river. I fully and truly believe that this is one soft spot in most adults about a holiday that is for or rather focused on children. Sorry for my tardiness but, as stated, I had other issues. As a group,we put light shows on our homes to dazzle them, ensure Saint Nick visits their home with presents galore. The whole scenario though is about the birth of the Savior. We should make that as plain as day to our children that this is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ who came to save us all. With the happiness of the children comes the happiness and joy of the adults, albeit with wiping the sweat of the brow. With the coming new year, do not forget to serve some Black Eyed Peas on New Years Day. My Best to you for Christmas, Happy New Year and may the best yet to come.
Gunny, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved. When did she pass? I know you were there to care for her and what a blessing you were.
You’re absolutely right that Christmas is truly about the birth of Jesus. The family gatherings are a bonus to the real reason for the season.
May peace and comfort be yours in 2024, Gunny. Again, I’m sorry for the loss of your wife.