Christmas is such a special holiday, and young children make the holiday even more special. Seeing their facial expressions on Christmas morning when they discover what Santa has left them create memories of Christmas that many parents never forget. Remembering those years when my own children were young are certainly memories I will not ever forget.
Early details
In 2005, we celebrated our first Christmas in our new home. We placed our small, six- foot tree in front of our double windows in the living room, which I had always dreamed of doing. My dream had finally come true. My children each gave me their Christmas list and hoped Santa brought them exactly what they wanted.
As a single mom, I hoped I could give them the items they wished for that Christmas. It was tough being the only adult in the household now, but I had done it for a couple years prior to that. Somehow I would find a way to give my children what they wanted. I certainly didn’t want to let them down.
The Memories
On Christmas Eve my five-year-old son, my 9-year-old daughter, and I celebrated the holiday with our small extended family. We created great memories of Christmas since we had welcomed a new family member back in February, my nephew’s first Christmas. What a joy it was having a baby for Christmas!
Our true Christmas memories were the following morning. My son has always been an early riser, and Christmas morning was no exception. He was the first one up poking me and saying, “Mommy, Santa was here! Santa brought us presents!” While I didn’t appreciate the early waking, I knew this moment wouldn’t last too many more years. In fact, I figured it was probably the last year before my daughter would figure out that there really wasn’t a Santa and that I was the one who put the presents under the tree.
We didn’t waste any time gathering around the tree, taking pictures so we could remember that moment forever, and opening the presents in front of the tree. Most of the presents that year wouldn’t fit under the tree. My son had asked for a new bicycle, his first big boy bicycle, and my daughter, who loved to sing, had wanted a karaoke machine. Both of which they successfully obtained among a few other items from Santa.
Now six years later, Santa doesn’t exist in our house, but we still create our memories of Christmas. We enjoy the young children of our extended family and try to see Christmas through their eyes. We discuss what the holiday really means and make sure we don’t lose that focus of this joyous time of the year.