Why does the magic of winter holidays exist?

 

I have always wondered: what is the magic of the winter holidays?

As a child, I never thought about it, but now that I'm 29 years old, this question comes up again before Christmas. Let's try to figure out what this magic is. And for this I will return to my childhood.

  I was born into an ordinary family as the second daughter. We lived as a big family: my grandparents, my father, my mother, my older sister and me. We were not poor, but we did not live in luxury either. Nobody gave us gifts for nothing. To get something, you had to earn it and work hard. The only exception was birthdays, although even then the gifts were modest.

   But everything changed when December came. The first snow, the first pre-holiday days created a sense of magic. St. Nicholas Day was a special holiday in our family. Usually, if you were good, you would find a gift and goodies under your pillow. But if you behaved badly, you would get a whipping. One day I got a caning. It was unpleasant, but the next day I found chocolate under my pillow. My parents explained: “St. Nicholas forgave me because I asked for forgiveness.

  After St. Nicholas, it was time for Christmas. We decorated the Christmas tree: tangerines, garlands, old toys that had been passed down from generation to generation. As a little girl, nothing could seem more magical than those twinkling lights. The smell of pine needles, tangerines and homemade pastries, including cherry cakes, filled the house with warmth and festive mood.

  The morning wake-up on January 7 was always full of joy. We would find gifts under the Christmas tree that our parents said Santa Claus had left. And on top of that, it was winter vacation: no classes, cozy evenings with fairy tales and cartoons, games in the snowy yard.

  Now, looking back, I realize how much effort my parents put into creating a sense of celebration for us. They didn't have much money, but they always found money for gifts and a festive table. It was this care that created the magic of the winter holidays for me, which has stayed with me to this day.

  Today my family is much smaller: only my mother, sister and I are left. But, despite this, I still enjoy the snow, the smell of citrus, and the warmth of the lights on the Christmas tree. For some people, this may seem like a trifle, but for me, it is the greatest miracle that brings me back to my childhood, where everything was good.

The magic of the winter holidays is childhood, family and the miracle you create for your loved ones. Don't be afraid to give this miracle to others, because you may be the one who gives someone the warmest memories.

   

What are your Christmas and New Year's traditions? What creates the magic of the holidays for you?