- Modern Motherhood Musings
- Posts
- Rediscovering Holiday Magic Through My Kids
Rediscovering Holiday Magic Through My Kids
Vol. 1, No. 44
Briana Grosvenor
November 22, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
In partnership with
You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
The holiday season is upon us, and the energy in my house is palpable. Every day, my kids come home from school with a new turkey crafted out of finger paint and feathers and ask me how many more days there are until Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Sometime between my childhood and adolescent years, the holidays lost their magic. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy them, but I wasn’t heartbroken if Thanksgiving dinner didn’t include gravy, and I was just thankful at Christmas if I was able to spend time with family and maybe watch a few Hallmark movies.
I married someone who is the complete opposite of me. He thrives on tradition. My husband doesn’t consider it a successful Thanksgiving dinner unless there’s gravy on the table and the Cowboys are on TV. He’ll hum Christmas tunes starting in November, and one year early on in our marriage, he was appalled when I suggested we didn’t need to put up a Christmas tree since we wouldn’t be home on Christmas Day.
But then I had kids, and everything changed. If you’re a parent, you know what I mean. Suddenly, what had become dull and routine is bursting with new life as you experience it for the first time alongside them.
It’s the excitement of traveling to visit cousins they don’t get to see very often and the giggles you hear as they run around and play together. It’s the wonder in their eyes when they see a house covered in lights or spot Santa and his reindeer on someone’s rooftop. It’s the excitement of sipping hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and working diligently to create the most beautiful gingerbread house.
Adulthood has a way of stealing that magic from us, doesn’t it? We trade wonder for to-do lists: buy gifts, coordinate travel, schedule plans, and determine which side of the family gets which day. The holidays become more about logistics than joy. But our kids? They pull us out of that. They remind us what it feels like to feel the holidays. They are the ones who inspire us to rediscover the joy and wonder of the season.
This year, I’m leaning all the way in. We’ll watch The Grinch every night until New Year’s and walk through the neighborhood to admire every Christmas light display. We’ll write letters to Santa, build gingerbread houses, and count down the days with an advent calendar and stories about Jesus.
If your holidays have lost their luster over the years, I hope you’ll let your kids bring back some of the magic. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the planning and orchestrating and never-ending to-do lists, I hope you’ll let them remind you what it’s really all about.
This time of year isn’t about perfection or perfectly orchestrated plans. It’s about the joy in their faces, the wonder in their eyes, and the beauty they find in the little moments together throughout the season. They are the ones who bring back the warmth and comfort of the holidays.
🍗 We made this Alison Roman stuffing (recommended by my friend Courtney) for Friendsgiving last weekend and it was delicious! If you make it, don’t skip her suggestion to dot the top with extra butter!
📘 I’m currently reading Dinners with Ruth (recommended by my friend Sarah) and I’m enjoying it so much! Listening to the story of these powerful women who built successful and trailblazing careers in male dominated fields is inspiring.
🥾 If you’re looking for toddler boy shoes, these are perfect. They look dressy enough to wear to any upcoming holiday events, and they have rubber soles so they’re good for running and playing!
Each week, one mom will be giving you a glimpse into her world, so you can get to know some of the incredible women in the Modern Motherhood Musings community. If you'd like to be featured next, Email me.
What is a tradition you’ve started with your kids that you hope they carry on?
Adopting angels each holiday season and shopping for them together as a family. It’s allowed our family to have deep and meaningful conversations about having giving hearts to those less fortunate. I look forward to this time with our boys every year!
What’s a lesson your children have taught you?
It’s okay to be messy as long as you’re present. I view this in 2 different ways: actual messes in our home 🤪 or just a chaotic season in our life..it’s so important to be present in both scenarios because that’s when cherished memories could be made.
What’s one thing you wish you’d known before becoming a mom?
That it’s okay to prioritize yourself and often times it’s mandatory for your mental health. Take a quick walk outside, read a chapter in your favorite book or pamper yourself with an at-home facial. There are so many quick ways to breathe a breath of fresh air into your soul as a tired mom! 10-15 min outdoor walks are my go-to in recharging my mental mama batteries.
Happy Friday, Friends! I am SO thankful for this Modern Motherhood community!
Help me grow this newsletter by using the link below to share it with a friend.
Get new floors before the holidays start!
Our Biggest Sale
Spruce up your home before holiday company arrives!
Reply