My Own Little Christmas Carol

I'm considered a middle-aged man I think. Possibly bordering on old if you ask my daughter, so to wonder if other middle-aged adults feel the way I feel around this time of year, I decided to write about it (at my daughter's demand). The question she asked me is,

  "Daddy...what gets you in the Christmas mood? When does it feel like Christmas?"

I was completely unprepared for that question. The little miniature version of myself asked me a question that I had not considered, realized, or even fathomed. It wasn't that the magic of Christmas was gone, I just didn't know what created it in the past. Then realization hit. She doesn't feel what my sisters and I got to experience this time of year. I needed to get off my 'bah-humbug' butt and try at least to show her all the things that use to make Christmas feel magical when I was a growing up. It wasn't about the toys really (yes it was), it was more about the in-home traditions. Traditions that sort of faded away as we became older and physically further apart.

The Music

I grew up in the eighties with two sisters. If you ask them, there were certain things in the house that we just did NOT touch. My dad's stereo was one of them. This marvelous musical collection of electrical appliances was housed by a handmade, wooden entertainment center that was made by my dad. He had two sets of speakers (Bose and Pioneer) that to us were the example of what high definition sound was, a separate Pioneer Receiver, separate equalizer, tape deck, and VCR. We woke up to it every morning to the sounds of Smokey Robinson, Anita Baker, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Miles Davis...just to name a few. But around Christmas...it was ALWAYS...ALWAYS...

1.  Nat King Cole's Christmas

   
   

   I kind of feel there is no reason to say anything further.

Except...

2. The Temptations

That is all I needed to say!

This was a huge revelation to me. I needed to hear the music that inspired me during my childhood and I needed to share it with my babies. It's already beginning to feel a little more like Christmas.

The Scent

The Scent of Christmas in our house growing up smelled like cookies with pecans being baked, the pine smell coming from the real Christmas tree. My mom always seems to burn vanilla, apple pie, or cinnamon candles. The house was literally filled with the scent of baking and Christmas tree. Although the house was usually fairly clean for three kids, it had to be extra clean for Christmas morning. For that reason, there is also a hint of pine cleaner that Pops used when mopping the hard wood floors throughout the house, and lemon from the furniture cleaner that he used when dusting. The smell of outside appeared to be clean and the air was more crisp. (Or maybe that's just how I want to remember the air). Specifically... It was the scent inside the house that holds the memories. Now that I'm older, I understand that mom used these scents to help keep us calm. The same with the music. They helped to create the mood intended. A scent that was intoxicating but warms the heart.

The Movies

In the eighties and early nineties, we didn't have streaming. You couldn't see a movie any time you wanted unless you purchased the VHS. Television for us was basically a few channels your TV could pick up by antenna. Part of getting in the feeling of Christmas was that certain movies played on TV the closer to Christmas it became. It season began with 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'The Sound of Music'. Next obviously came the more Christmas stories like The Christmas Carol, Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and of course The Christmas Story. All Christmas classics for a reason. The movies were simple stories with a creative message delivery. They were fun for the entire family to watch. Movies that left you positive about the spirit of the holiday.

The Answer

I started this to solve a question, "What gets me in the Christmas Spirit?" A question raised by my daughter. It forced me to realize that I had not really been in the spirit of the holiday for quite some time. Just going about the movements because of what is required as a parent. I had forgotten about the mental part of creating the magic for my children. It's not just about Santa Clause. It's not just about opening and giving gifts. There is a spirit of Christmas joy that echoes through us all. No matter the age, race, societal status, or location.

So to answer your question Babygirl, when it is all said and done and the dust settles. What gets me in the mood for Christmas are the memories that I was able to create with my family, so I could learn to create them with you.

Have a Wonderful, Happy, and Merry Christmas!

Renaissance Blvd