As I sit here, the week before Christmas, there are nine days until the big day. Yesterday, when I woke up, and my phone said December 15th, I had to do a double-take. For a few seconds, I really thought my phone was wrong. I thought, “There is no way it’s the fifteenth of December already.” How was this possible? I still had cookies to make, gifts to wrap, and last-minute shopping to do.
This is my most favorite time of the year, and leading up to Christmas day, there is so much prep involved. It’s no wonder there is so much stress and depression this time of year. I don’t let myself get all worked up. Everything always gets done, and I take it one day at a time, soaking up each day as it is here and gone so quickly.
As a kid, I felt like it always took forever! Our biggest worry was wondering if Santa would miss our house or not getting the toy you had your heart set on all December.
Christmas Eve was always so magical. Even at my age, it still is. I still like to look up at the night sky on Christmas Eve, picture the Christmas star, and what the three kings followed on that Christmas night. How bright it must have lit up the sky. Of course, I always picture Santa’s sleigh way up high, flying across the moon, just waiting to pop into children’s homes who are anxiously awaiting his arrival.
I don’t remember how old I was, but I had to be at least six or seven because I know it was our house on Roosevelt Ave., and we had lived there a few years. One night we got pizza — Park pizza, to be exact. Our home was a ranch home, and our kitchen table was set facing our living room. It had a big picture window, and a small window above the front door like most ranch homes have. While we were eating dinner, I happened to look out the window. There was a bright shining red light that looked to be up on a rooftop on a neighbor’s house down the street. I ran over to the window to get a better look since it was a few houses down.
“It looks like Rudolph is on our neighbor’s rooftop!” My eyes gleamed with excitement. Could it be!? Now, I don’t believe it was Christmas Eve, but it could have been. I just remember my dad saying, “You better be good! Santa Claus is watching you!”
I truly believed it was Rudolph and Santa checking in. This is a very vivid memory to me because it was magical to a seven-year-old little girl. I remember where I was, what I was eating, and I can still see it out the window in my head. I’m tellin’ ya — it was Rudy!
My seven-year-old daughter Kenzy would be the same way. She is just so excited for Santa. She loves the magic of Christmas and Christmas lights! Kenzy is a lot like her momma.
My son Tyler will be thirteen this July. This year it happened, and he asked, ‘the question.’ The dreaded question as a parent. It can’t be, he was just putting milk and cookies out for Santa, and I captured it in a photo last Christmas Eve night. I knew in my heart of hearts; it could be the last year.
We told him that there is no one single Santa. We are the people who fill your stockings and put gifts under the tree, just as our parents did for us, and their parents did for them, and you will do for your kids someday. Santa are many people who keep the spirit of Christmas alive! He lives in our hearts. Santa is the magic and love of giving to others. He teaches children to believe in something they can’t see or touch. Throughout your life, you will need this to not only believe in yourself, but in your family, in your friends, and in God. You’ll need to believe in things you can’t hold your hands. Santa is love, magic, hope, and happiness. We are on his team, and now you are too.
He took this way better than we thought. I probably took it harder than him, haha. He then asked about our elf, the Tooth fairy, and the Easter Bunny. It was all or nothing! He loves now that he can help move Charlie, our elf, around, and we told him that Dad and I have fun finding him when we take turns hiding him. We just asked him to keep everything quiet for his sister. He has done great and is having fun with our family buddy, Charlie. At least this year, we won’t have to stay up till midnight waiting for the little fart to fall asleep this year. But, we did good getting him to believe until almost the age of thirteen.
I have never stopped believing. I still love the magic of Christmas and Santa. You are never too old to watch the sky for Santa or search for the Christmas star. Have a wonderful holiday week filled with love, good food, family, friends, and COOKIES!
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Christmas Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Additional granulated sugar or colored sprinkles
• About 36 Hershey Kisses, unwrap
Directions:
Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and baking powder until dough forms.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in additional granulated sugar or colored sprinkles. On ungreased cookie sheets, place about 2 inches apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately press 1 milk chocolate candy in center of each cookie. Place back in over for one minute. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack.
*Our Santa loves plain peanut butter cookies too. So Mrs. Claus always makes sure to make him plain ones as well. Just roll in sugar, and do a cross with a fork. Bake 8-10 minutes.*
