The Importance of Good Christmas Memories

I look forward to seeing bright and various hues of presents wrapped in red and green. I enjoy the sweet yet spicy scent of pine. Most of all, I cannot help but mimic the gleaming smiles from happy children on Christmas morning. For me, the magic I see at Christmas is similar to what I see in everyday life. Christmastime is by far the most impacting time of the year; because it allows me to realize the beauty of everyone around me.

At eight years old, sitting under our Christmas tree, I was opening a present wrapped in newspaper. This particular mental picture was from a family vacation in Nova Scotia, Canada. I went with my grandparents and my father. Back then, I felt that Christmas was about Santa Claus, Reindeer, and Gifts. During the year, the only things I thought about were toys, gifts, and games. As I became older I began to think, “Why do I love Christmas so much?”

My grandmother is where my love for Christmas comes from. She comes from a laid back family who never decorated much for Christmas. Today, she has roughly thirty-five full boxes of Christmas decorations. Her Christmas tree is twelve feet tall, yet her ceilings are only ten feet tall. I believe she is embracing everything she missed out on as a child, and she has truly inspired me to love Christmas just as much as she does. As I became older, I feel that I developed a different point of view about Christmas because of her.

Christmas today is contrary to what I had previously believed it to be. The fairy-tale fantasy that young children believe to be the meaning of Christmas is irrelevant to its true meaning. I realize that the holiday season is more about spreading joy and love to the people around you. When I first realized this, in my early teenage years, I applied this knowledge to every day of the year. I know that many individuals are still hoping for a fairy-tale. Yes, I admit it may not be Santa Claus or reindeer they seek, but for other things, such as money, recognition, or fame. I truly feel sad for the people who are so involved in other matters that they do not find time to rejoice during the holidays. It would truly teach them the real meaning of life, which they have yet to find.

Looking at Christmas through a different viewpoint made me notice everything around me much more positively, impacting me in ways I never knew could happen. I became a more caring and understanding person, every year that I grew older. Sometimes I wish to go back to the fairy-tale dream I had as a child, but then I take notice of the person I have become because I allowed myself to view the world from a different perspective. Without my Christmas memories, I do not feel that I would be the same person I am today.

Works Cited

1. Brown, S. D. (2014). The gift of Christmas: Stories, traditions, and reflections that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Harvest House Publishers.
2. Eckhardt, J. (2018). A Christmas for joy. The Wild Rose Press.
3. Graham, B., & Graham, R. (2016). The magic of Christmas: A collection of heartwarming stories, poems, and traditions. Howard Books.
4. Hartman, C. (2019). The meaning of Christmas: A heartfelt collection of inspiring true stories. Barbour Publishing.
5. Johnson, M. (2017). The true meaning of Christmas. Independently published.
6. Matthews, T. (2015). The beauty of Christmas: A collection of inspirational stories and heartfelt reflections. Shiloh Run Press.
7. Peters, J. (2019). Rediscovering the magic of Christmas: 25 days of heartwarming stories, poems, and traditions. BroadStreet Publishing Group.
8. Roberts, S. (2019). A different perspective: Stories of love, hope, and the magic of Christmas. Bethany House Publishers.
9. Stevens, B. (2018). The joy of Christmas: A collection of heartwarming stories, poems, and traditions. BroadStreet Publishing Group.
10. Williams, S. (2017). Christmas reflections: A collection of inspiring true stories. Guideposts.