Christmas Magic

Growing up in an equatorial city, I had always known that Father Christmas was not real. My parents made no effort in convincing me otherwise. My kiddie common sense asked questions like “Why was he wearing that heavy red suit and black boots when it's so hot?” and “No one has chimneys in this country. We have air conditioning units, plus we live in high-rise blocks. So how on earth is Santa going to deliver our presents." My childhood experience of Christmas magic is of midnight mass on Christmas Eve and our house being the only home within a 50km radius to have a home-made roast turkey with trimmings on Christmas Day. Relatives would invite themselves over just for the sheer novelty of it.

It never even crossed my mind that anyone actually believed that Father Christmas could be real. I mean, c’mon. Really! Well... Until I had children.

My kids totally believe in Father Christmas. Oh, woe was the day when we had to break the news to my oldest child. “Christmas will never be the same again,” said the broken child. Through the kids, and living in the UK, I learned about the magic of Christmas. I found out about the Christmas code of conduct and how to keep the Christmas spirit alive for your children. There really should be a handbook for parents. “The Christmas Whisperer: How to create Christmas magic for the family”.

The build-up is what it's all about. Finding the advent calendar at the bottom of the box marked 'Christmas Stuff', shaking off last year's dust, and putting it up somewhere Timmy Elf can reach. The anticipation of Timmy and his SWOT team of elves bringing you sweets for the 24 days before the big day. Nativity plays and Christmas carol singing. Nagging the kids into completing their Christmas lists - and no more adding extra presents to the list behind your mother's back. Leaving out a carrot for Rudolph, a mince pie and whiskey for Santa to re-energise them for their onwards journey. (Some of you might want to disagree on my choice of drink for Santa.)

The final few hours of Christmas Eve is spent tracking Santa on NORAD. The idea of tracking Santa on NORAD is actually more exciting than the reality. Children are not blessed with patience, and tantrums flare when they see that children in New Zealand get to open their presents 12 hours before them. Try explaining time zone difference to a five-year-old!

It's the same every year. And it never gets boring.

Images via Unsplash