2020 was, if nothing else, quite unique in many ways but no more so than when it pushed us into magical thinking with limits and limitations when Christmas was upon us. We are fortunate in my family that we all live within 20 minutes of each other but even that created some difficultly. You see, this year it was not about who could go home for Christmas, it was about who could come home, and also who could enter the front door being greeted with hugs and kisses and Merry Christmas cheer. The answer to that was none of us. So we all had to put our heads together and decide what was most important for all of us on this day. After a group zoom connection, we decided that the only thing that really mattered to all of us was that we are together, no matter what that might look like, so we got to work to make that happen. For us, it was just about being together as a family and watching the “littles” open their gifts and so we worked our magic but not without giving up a lot of our beloved traditions. So welcome to Christmas in the garage.

This my friends is what a homegrown Christmas looks like. My daughter and her family were generous enough to offer up their heated garage to all of us. When we arrived the boys helped to bring all the gifts inside. There had already been chairs set up, groups of two, six feet apart. It had rained all morning but just as we sat down the rain stopped and fortunately it was 50 degrees that day. I felt the Christmas spirit when the wind was not in attendance. Someone was watching over us. At first, I was thinking it would be awkward with masks and social distancing but honestly, neither was a problem because we all mask up every time we are out. So we were off to a good start and the boys were so excited to have us all there and of course, that pile of gifts was motivating enough that they were all in with passing out the gifts and getting this party started. It was joyful.

The boys were great in passing out all the gifts while Papa supervised.

Game on…the boys didn’t waste any time getting into the packages but they do let me take a few photos along the way. Liam loves to bake so he got some baking tools this year from Uncle Chris and Julia, including this great Chef’s hat. Jaxson was busy opening up his I-phone watch that both boys got from Nana and Papa. I’m pretty sure that was a hit. Ah, Uncle Chris got a nice flask. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard of that but I’m sure on those cold nights in the woods he will find that useful. Liam always takes good care of me. Bringing my gifts and sometimes helping me open them. His and Jaxson's gift to me was an awesome heater and air purifier from Dyson and I can tell you since I have been using this in my bedroom my allergies have been much relieved while I’m sleeping.

Last but certainly not least, after all the major gifts are opened, everyone grabs their can. The cans came about when, one year, Chris gave me a can full of all kinds of little treats and delights that I really loved. After a couple of years of me getting that can everyone else decided that they also wanted a can and so we gave up doing the stockings and now the cans are a new tradition which I think is here to stay. Everyone opens at the same time…showing and sharing their bits and pieces. I think when the kids are no longer little the cans will replace the main gift and become the gift with lots of joy and memories inside. For those of you who would like to read the story of the cans, you can check out this old blog post.

So was it perfect, no? We missed some wonderful traditions that we normally share. We missed our Christmas brunch which is always amazing with everyone bringing something to the table. We missed homemade cookies and my Mom’s famous squares. We missed a toast to all and I almost missed my wine but I skipped out for a glass when no one was looking. Shhh. I missed the boys coming and sitting with me and telling me how one of their new toys worked or what new game we might try out. Subtle little things that don’t even register until you don’t have them. Mostly I missed the kisses and warm hugs and really snuggling with the boys that always happens when we are together, especially after all the gifts are opened. We grab a blanket and snuggle on the couch together and check out all the good things that happened on this day. I missed saying a proper thank you to my big kids for all that they do and give but I think they know how much we appreciate them.

What we gained though was the gift of just being a family. Making our time together be above and beyond all the gifts and food and traditions. Those will come back, some may be in a different way but at the end of the day, the gift was there. We were together. We were fortunate that we were well and that we lived close enough to share our time and gifts with one another. We found out what was important about that Christmas day and we pulled together right down to the “littles” with their masks on and no treats and also no complaints. In the long run, we gained far more than we gave up…and we carried that Christmas spirit forward once again.

When I walked in the door of my own house after only a few hours with our kids I saw my grandmother’s bowl of Christmas balls on my kitchen counter and knew that those who have gone before us were there in spirit also. They are the ones who started the traditions that we still hold dear today. My grandmother and mother always working side by side to make our Christmases special and magical even when money was tight. Then it was my Mom and me for all of our family when our kids were small and now Jenna is taking over with Chris and Julia to help going forward. No need to worry about what might happen in the future, although I hope there is never another Christmas this devastating for so many. I know Christmas will go on one generation at a time…keeping the old and adding in some new traditions and that will be o.k. No matter what comes our way there are always lessons learned.

I hope whoever reads this found that they too, were able to feel the spirit no matter how you spent your Christmas this year and know that the Spirit of Christmas can never be broken, it will just matter how you deal with it. Blessings to all for a happy and oh so healthy New Year.