Christmas is a magical time, and this year was no exception. I begin decking the hall immediately after Thanksgiving. Did you realize that Thanksgiving was as late as possible this year, shortening the time between the two holidays? That is my least favorite scenario. 

My Christmas decorating ritual always starts with unpacking my Lenox Christmas China. This tradition, which was started by my thoughtful husband, involved adding a piece of Holiday China to my collection each year. It was a special gift from my children that I cherish, and I love to remember it while I set the table with a mix of my regular and holiday china, complete with matching glassware. 

I purchased Mackenzie Childs’ Christmas pattern for the grandchildren’s table a few years ago. I adore their whimsical holiday designs—they are so festive!

Did I tell you about my love of English Christmas Crackers? I discovered them when I was newly married, and I still place one on the table for each guest. The novelty items inside are fun; we all laugh at the jokes in each cracker.

Now, let’s talk food. If you are familiar with my blog, you know I am of Italian heritage, where family and food coexist perfectly. I adore cooking, baking, and entertaining. Nothing brings me more happiness and joy than feeding family and friends. 

This year, I hosted my Writing Group’s Holiday party. Did I mention that I belong to a fabulous group called The Dedham Writer’s Cafe? We meet every Sunday night at the Blue Bunny Book Store,  owned by New York Times bestselling children’s author Peter Reynolds. He graciously offered us the use of his closed store to meet: what a thoughtful jester. Our ecliptic group is fortunate to have a place to meet and share our work with each other. Stay tuned. I am writing a book about my grandmother, whom I never met, and I know little about her. Since I couldn’t discover much about her, she died young; when my father was only six years old, I decided to write her life story or my fictionalized account of her life story. This year, I promised myself I would finish writing my first draft.

I digress. Back to Christmas entertaining, our gathering was so much fun as we socialized with each other. It was the best! Everyone brought something; I baked a red velvet bundt cake and retro pigs in a blanket. 

After hosting my writing group, I began the countdown until Christmas Day, when all our children and grandchildren come together, and my husband’s family joins us for the holiday. Christmas morning reminds me of when my children were small. My twins are home. My daughter arrived from California with her husband and two children. Her twin brother drove up from Connecticut, and I woke before the sleeping house. I love to begin my day with a quiet morning, and although I have much to do for Christmas dinner, I write in my journal. 

Then I hear little feet in the bathroom overhead, water running as my grandchildren brush their teeth before coming downstairs for Christmas morning. Once they are up, my home is never silent again; I feel it smile, remembering over thirty years of celebrating Christmas in our home.

As the day unfolds, our home fills with the warmth of family. My older son arrives with his wife and two children, and the party truly begins. More guests join us in the afternoon and our home overflows with love and laughter. As I prepare dinner, I couldn’t help but smile as I watch the festivities in the family room: gifts opening, delightful sighs, and children’s giggles.

In the last two days, I’ve been cooking nonstop, freezing some food, and making fresh dishes. Finally, with my daughter’s help, the meal is on the table. I sit down and relax surrounded by family! Perfect!

I don’t want the day to end as everyone prepares to leave. We send them off with leftovers and cookies in festive tins. 

My husband and I smile. “It was another wonderful Christmas!”

“Yes, it was!” I respond as I turn off the lights, climb the stairs, and retire for the night. 

Before I fall asleep, I remember Scrooge’s promise in A Christmas Carol to honor Christmas from deep within his heart and to live by the moralizing lessons of the past, Present, and Future. That sounds like a perfect ending for our Christmas, too!

Christmas 2024