Happy Holidays

Santa, Snow, and Coco. That's what Christmas used to be about, the holiday cheer. The magic seemed to have disappeared over the years. Blame it on adulthood, and my youthful ignorance no longer exists. But, I must say this Christmas for just a moment I had the chance to find it once again. I think that's what Christmas is truly about, is the MAGIC. 

This holiday season, I am currently working as a server, and finances are taking their toll. But, I try to put that to rest, because, for just a moment, I get the chance to celebrate. Wham (Last Christmas) plays in the background, and I sway to the tune. While I work on the charcuterie board and try to array the shrimp just so. Mom is trying a new recipe, poached pears. We allow the Christmas spirit to burn bright, and all our troubles put on ice for this holiday season. 

Christmas Eve

Back when my Grandma was still alive, we would host. The evening consisted of my mom, brother, aunt grandma, and myself. When we were little and the spirit of Santa still lived in our hearts, my aunt would take my brother and me to go look at Christmas lights. My mother on the other hand would stay home, making the house presentable, putting Christmas presents under the tree, and creating the Christmas ambience. Within the desirable amount my mom needed, we would soon head back home. Walk into the kitchen, and the lights would be off except for the Christmas tree. We would make a processional into the living room. I would be carrying the Baby Jesus, and we all would be signing Silent Night. My grandmother carried the weight of the music. After the carols, my aunt would read the passage from the bible. My brother and I would have our patience on the brink. The gifts would glisten, and the ribbons seemed to be a siren song. We managed, we held ourselves back. 

My mother would serve dinner, which always consisted of soup, to keep us all warm and cozy. There would be platters of cheese, meats, herring, and other edible delights. The dinner would come to an end, and my mom would ask the question "Shall we open gifts, or would we like..." Before she could ever finish that question, my brother and I would cut her off, with the one-worded reply of "gifts". My mother would smile, and we would all move into the living room. Each year one of us would become the "designated Santa" This person had all the power. They got to choose who received the first gift of Christmas. 

After the gifts were opened, and we all sat in blissful silence, we would then eat our weight in delicious cookies, and have a sweet cup of tea. We would turn on White Christmas and just enjoy each other and the meaning of family. Most years, we would attend Midnight Mass, and my grandma used to sing in the choir. To this day, I still have no idea how we ever managed to make that all happen. 

Midnight Mass, a parish all coming together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

The next day we would all sleep in. Mom would wake us with a bright and cheery "Merry Christmas". We would then go downstairs and to my brother and I's surprise there would be a gift for each one of us. This would be the gift that was given not by Santa, but by my mom. 

The morning would be filled with breakfast, and Christmas movies until we would have to go to an aunt or uncle for the next celebration of Christmas. 

THIS CHRISTMAS

This Christmas was sweet and merry. It's not the same since Grandma passed, and the older we get, the less of us come together. Most of my cousins are married, so they go to their spouse's side or have other plans. But, to the ones who don't go off, we manage to stay together and share a meal. This year after dinner, managed to gather around the piano and all sing Christmas carols. After our voices seemed to give out, we decided we needed one last laugh, so someone brought out catchphrase. It's chaos, and silly but a game that we all crave to play. Because will this timeless classic, time seems to stop, and for a moment the magic hits. 

This year it wasn't a white Christmas, instead it was 50+ and rainy. 

The year is soon coming to an end, and I seem to be in the mood to reflect. . . 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. 

xoxo

-Alyssa