Every year as the holidays approach, I start to feel a myriad of emotions—nostalgia, pressure to complete projects, sorrow for lost loved ones, and excitement at the prospect of planning holiday outings, baking treats, and snuggling by the tree.

And yet, no matter how many tentative plans I etch onto the calendar or promises I make to myself to be “wholly present” I end up feeling slightly disappointed as the New Year rolls in. As if I missed too many opportunities for celebration and “making memories” to fill the picture books we seldom review.

Despite the likelihood of falling short (again), I’m vowing to do one simple thing this holiday season: embrace the magic.

I’m setting no expectations: no Christmas cookie quotas, no mandatory events to attend, and no commitments that fall (too far) outside of my comfort zone.

For years—since I began celebrating the holidays as an adult—I’ve chased “the essence” of the holidays.

I’ve tried to bake the perfect sweets. I’ve curated wish lists and gift guides. I’ve dabbled with concocting the most seasonal cocktail or boozy beverage. And I’ve created holiday “to-do” lists (ice skating! lights viewing! Christmas movies! photos with Santa! holiday markets!) that serve more frenzy than fun.

And the same thing always happens: I miss out on the magic.

This year, I’m going to stop trying to recreate my own magic; instead, I’m going to do my best to experience the splendor of Christmas through my child’s eyes, because kids innately know how to slow down and embrace the simplicity around them.

I will fully embrace the magic of…

The twinkle in my son’s eyes and the joyful smile on his face when he wrote his first letters to Santa

Rearranging (ever-so-slightly) the enthusiastically-trimmed tree branches because he wanted ALL THE ORNAMENTS for his personal tree

Rolling our eyes while simultaneously laughing at Thanksgiving dinner as he shouted, “Alexa! Play Jingle Bell Rock!” for the millionth time

Swinging beneath the canopy of twinkling lights while obnoxiously humming partial iterations of Christmas tunes because he finds it hilarious when I do so

Taking in my son’s gigantic grin as he sits next to Santa, excitedly telling him about the hot wheels he wants for Christmas

Riding trains through the holiday displays

Rewatching holiday movies for the millionth time without scrolling distractedly on my phone!

And whatever else life throws at us during these short few weeks.

The holidays can be stressful, as it seems we are inundated with ads and pressures from society to find the perfect gift, trim the most beautiful tree, and attend all the holiday gatherings. But we need to remember that, underneath all the garland and giftwrap, lies the joy, opportunity for connection, and promise of a new tomorrow this season represents.

And that, in itself, is magical.

Embrace the magic of the holidays! #happyholidays Share on X