And just like that, it’s over. Christmas of 2023 has come and gone. And it saddens me. I cannot help but wonder Was this the last magical Christmas? Will our amazing LM still delight at the presence of Santa Claus or is this the final year of believing? Our child is 10 years old. A full decade. He is now at that tender age of believing vs. not believing, and it is all too real for me.
Where has the time gone?
I cannot help but reflect upon Christmases past, from photos with Santa, to Storytime with Santa, to the Santa Claus parade, as well as trips to Santa’s Village each summer. The jolly man himself has remained ever-present in our household since the birth of our amazing LM. The only forceable misses were due to the global pandemic. There was never a doubt about his existence. Never, until quite recently. As more of our son’s friends express their disbelief in Santa Claus, he has struggled to hold onto his belief by a thread.
I know that many parents reach this crossroad, this unavoidable milestone. Navigating it, and moving forward whilst maintaining the magic that is Christmas, is not a unique dilemma. My only hope is that our amazing LM can preserve his joy of Christmas as he continues to age and mature. It is that joyous spirit – that childlike wonder and excitement – that makes Christmas feel so magical for us all.
What will happen to his magic of believing?
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, and to ensure the preservation of its magic, we have stressed upon our child that Christmas is not all about the receiving gifts from Santa. We have spent these past few years teaching him the importance of giving to others. We have had many conversations together about what we can do, within our own limited means, to help those who are less fortunate than us. We have discussed the importance of donating – not just money – but gently used items, such as household goods, books, clothes, shoes, and toys. We have given boxes of gently used towels to the Humane Society; we have donated household items to the Salvation Army; and we have given gently-used shoes and clothing to the Oasis Clothing Bank. Demonstrating the importance of giving has not only taught our son compassion, but also provided him with inspiration.
These past two Christmas seasons my son filled large boxes of his own new and/or gently-used toys and donated them to families with children from the Ukraine. He wanted to help those children, who were forced to leave all their worldly possessions behind, by giving them toys to love and play with. He demonstrated empathy, and took actionable measures to make a positive difference. It is this desire to give and to help others that will preserve the spirit of Christmas – of Santa Claus – in our home.
What will our future Christmases look like?
Though I do not know what Christmas of 2024 will hold for us – what magic will continue to exist – I do know that the spirit of giving will remain ever-present in our home. It may look different than it has these past 10 years – or – we may be blessed with one more Christmas of believing. Perhaps there will be milk and cookies for Santa next year. Who is to say? The wonderment of a child is a magical thing, and our amazing LM never ceases to wonder.
Believing, it is magic. And, it will live in our hearts forever.
The Magic of Believing. Published by Crystal Joy Hall
Featured Image by Tobias Bjørkli
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