"Christmas 2025 is in review."
A Season of Joy: Reflections on a Christmas to RememberAs I sit down to write about our family's Christmas celebration, I'm filled with a mix of emotions - joy, gratitude, and a hint of sadness. Why does it always go by so quickly? It's as if the holiday season is a fleeting dream that we're lucky enough to experience for a brief moment each year.
Our Christmas festivities began on Christmas Eve, when we checked in on our chickens (who had been laying an impressive 80+ eggs in December!) and decorated cookies. I love baking sugar cookies and gingerbread ahead of time and freezing them - it's a game-changer when it comes to decorating with the kids! We feasted on Swiss cheese, summer sausage, Christmas crackers, and chili while sipping martinis and enjoying each other's company.
One of the highlights of our Christmas Eve was playing White Elephant. The rule was simple: bring something you no longer used or wanted, wrapped up nicely. My niece K ended up with a hilarious frog hat on a Styrofoam head from her cousin - it was definitely a laugh-out-loud moment! We also enjoyed some quality time together as a family, playing games and enjoying each other's company.
Christmas Eve evening was just as magical, with my brother working his magic in the kitchen to whip up a delicious batch of seafood gumbo. We cleaned up for the children's church service, which was lovely (although I couldn't help but feel that perhaps we've outgrown it - maybe next year we'll attend the candlelight service instead?). The girls put on an incredible Christmas production on our back porch, singing carols and reading excerpts from the Bible while H played the piano. It was a truly special moment, one that left me in tears of joy.
Christmas morning arrived all too soon, with coffee brewing at 7:15 AM. We let the girls come down at 7:53, and their excitement was palpable as they ran into the living room, chanting "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Merry Christmas!" It's moments like these that I cherish - watching my children grow and experience the magic of the holiday season.
I'm so grateful for the thoughtful gifts the girls made for me this year. My niece created a beautiful taper candle holder in an ornate bottle, while another niece gifted me a homemade pottery dish to hold hair ties in my bathroom. H painted wooden kitchen utensils for me to use in cooking, and K painted a box to use as a dust bath for our chickens - each one is a treasured keepsake.
As the morning gave way to the afternoon, we enjoyed a nice long walk together as a family. The kids headed out to play while the adults met up with some neighborhood friends at the river. But our fun was short-lived, as when they returned home, I was informed that Finley had been bitten by another dog and needed medical attention. Thankfully, David took good care of her, and she's on the mend now.
Despite the chaos of the day, we managed to pull off a delicious Christmas dinner - thanks in large part to Nana's culinary expertise! We feasted on tenderloin, mashed potatoes (which were slightly undercooked, but salvaged by Nana), rolls, Brussels with pine nuts, roasted carrots, and a sourdough winter vegetable squash stuffing. It was a truly special meal, one that we'll cherish for years to come.
As I reflect on our Christmas celebration, I'm reminded of the importance of slowing down and appreciating the little things in life. The holiday season is a time for joy, love, and connection - let's not get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that we forget to enjoy each other's company.
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