When December 1st comes around every year, it’s a tradition for my family to put up all our Christmas decorations. Everything from the tree to the lights in our window and the wreath on the door. Ever since we were young kids, we’d get together as a family to pull out that big box from under the staircase, and fumble through the ever aging ornaments. We’d look back at childhood school projects where we made our own Christmas tree decor, we’d detangle those strands of beads that seem to never pack right in January. Thinking about Christmas when I was a kid is a big blur of tinsel and endless fairy lights in the trees in our yard.
Soon enough, we got older and one by one we moved away and the Christmas frenzy quietened down. The wreath became smaller and the lights not so dazzling as so our neighbours would ‘oohh’ and ‘ahh’.
December 1st came and went this year and the tree still wasn’t up. Now that I’ve moved away from home myself, the Christmas decorations have dwindled down to the smallest tree and a few lights.
The past few months I’ve spent mostly just hanging out and talking with my family rather than picking out a nice tree and finalising a lavish Christmas dinner menu and you know what? It’s been the best time of my life being able to do that with them. There’s more laughter and more smiles between us all now and that’s the best gift possible.
Christmas to me really isn’t about the decorations we put up. It’s about family and spending time together – something that doesn’t cost anyone a thing and, in my opinion, is the best way to spend Christmas.
christine • 
