The Small Things that Make Christmas Magical in our Family
Both my sister and I were born in December, and so Christmas and the festive Season have always been so special in our family. Truth be told, I low-key believed in Santa Clause until I was in my very late teens (who am I kidding, there is definitely a part of me that wants to believe even now), and I put that down to the magic that my mother created in our household around the festive period.
We celebrated our main Christmas on the 24th of December, because we were in Germany of course, and every year we would be sat around the dining room table having dinner with my grandparents- we were all in the same room, and at some point a loud bell would ring from the sitting room next door. Who rang that bell?! It was for sure Christmas magic, because when we opened up those sliding doors the tree would be fully decorated, choo-choo train running around the base of the tree, and presents ready for us to open while my dad might have lit a cigar in his rocking chair, and the other adults had some form of alcoholic beverage.
The magic around the entire Christmas period was intoxicating, and something I will never forget.
Now that I have children myself, I realise what all the magic of Christmas actually was, was my mother working around the clock to make it as seamlessly beautiful and enchanting as possible.
Trying my very best to recreate even just a glimmer of the sparkle that my mother was able to create for us for all of those years, here are just a few things I have turned into tradition in our household.
Advent Calendars going up the staircase. These aren’t just the regular chocolate calendars that you buy in the supermarket. My mother actually hand knitted little cotton bags in red and green and tied them up our staircase at home. Each day had a little present for my sister and I, and that is exactly what I am doing for my family now. I’ve already pre-filled most days with little Tonies box characters, hair clips, nail polish and girlie fun things, bath bombs and stickers- just to brighten each day in December, and to make the run up to Christmas extra special. Plus the little bags look super festive decorated along our staircase, which all just adds to the Christmas magic.
Advent Tea for four Sundays leading up to Christmas is such a big part of the festive Season where I’m from, and I have been so desperate to install the tradition in our household since getting married. It’s not a done thing in England, so my husband doesn’t yet get the grandor of it all. It’s almost like a ceremony, a sit down meal but with festive, orange blend tea, decadent cakes and biscuits, all home-made, boozy whipped cream (if you’re not pregnant or two). It lasts two or three hours, and finishes with a festive family film on the sofa, everyone stuffed with sweets and treats. Most importantly, every Sunday a candle is lit on the Advent wreath which is flat laying on the table- a real count down to Christmas Eve, and so exciting and magical. I remember a very specific Christmas CD which played pretty much on repeat in our household growing up, banging out classics from Santa Clause is back in town by Elvis to Ave Maria.
Nikolaus Day on the 6th of December is a great way to split up some presents for the little ones- Christmas can be incredibly overwhelming, so I like to put some larger toys next to boots filled with nuts, oranges, apples and chocolates on the night of the 5th of December. The day honours St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his kindness and generosity, which I read to my daughter about in the lead-up.
Christmas stories every night before bed is a big one. There is one book in particular that defines my Christmas childhood, and I hunted it down on Amazon last year, only for it to take 4 months to arrive (post Christmas)- but we have it now! It’s a story explaining exactly where Santa Clause lives, what he does there, how his elves hand-make all the toys for Christmas, how how Mrs. Clause is in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Incase your German is up to scratch, here it is.
I’m excited to hear about Christmas and festive traditions, so hit me up - I’m in my element here, and soaking up every last bit of magic I can, getting my daily dose of hot chocolate in, and already demolished three Lindt Santas before bed last night.