An Adult Child’s Perspective on Christmas

As a kid, Christmas was always a big deal. In fact, everything was a big deal. A good report card, a promotion, birthdays, we celebrated it all. This celebratory style I grew up with followed me into adulthood.

As I’ve gotten older, buying Christmas gifts has become one of my favorite pastimes. It’s a fun feeling of both excitement and joy, when a loved one unveils the perfectly curated gift. Yet, finding the perfect gift for my parents and grandparents always feels like mission impossible. What do you buy for the people who have everything?! Year after year, I’d struggle with Christmas gifts and try so hard to keep up with my parents, who are supreme gift givers. This year, I rethought my approach.

My parents could care less what they opened on Christmas morning. Sure, I asked them and ended up with one bigger gift that was actually something they needed. They want things that money can’t buy – all of their kids in the same place, to cook together and for us kids to spend time with our grandparents. Looking back on this holiday season, that’s exactly what I gave, time.

Each year as I stepped further into adulthood, I tried to conjure up ways to give back what my parents gave to me. At the end of 2018, I can say I’ve stopped trying. There’s no way in the world that I could repay them for all they’ve given me. And are still giving as I sit on the beach in Florida at my mom’s house while my dad and stepmom diligently wait for the call to pick up my car for me. As they say, a parent’s work is never done.

So, my fellow adult children, stop worrying about the perfect gift for your parents. Instead, show up on holidays and birthdays as much as possible, take them to dinner and put your phone down during the meal. I think about my Nana and the many Saturdays I spent with her. Those were some of the best conversations I’ve had and she thoroughly enjoyed hearing my stories and watching me live my life. I sit with my other grandparents now and see the same joy fill their faces merely because I’m spending time with them. Highlight of the holiday season? Taking Grandma to see the Donna Summers musical on Broadway and dancing alongside her to ‘Last Dance.’

Don’t overthink it, my fellow 20’s somethings, who I’m sure are navigating this much like I am. Talk to your parents, grandparents, everyone in your life so you can co-create these memories together. They will sustain you during the longer, harder stretches of your life.

Motivation Mondays: The Magic of Christmas

Christmas has always been a big deal in my house. There are extraordinary amounts of food, a continuously flow of people and more noise than anything you’ve heard in your life. The presents were endless, piles bigger than me took over my living room. My brother and I would always argue about who got more presents. Looking back, it now seems silly that we thought the number of gifts we got mattered.

The older I get, the more I have realized the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not about gifts or all the food we cook. It’s about being together with the people who matter most and passing down traditions. I’ve spent my morning listening to stories from my grandmother and cousin while cooking. Hearing those memories is priceless and something I hope to pass down to my kids one day.

Sometimes people’s definition of family changes as they grow older. It is normal for children to start their own families and traditions. Even with all of the things that have changed this year, the magic of Christmas takes over and I can’t feel anything but happy and blessed for the life I have. Everyone should take this time to shut off their computers and phones in order to really spend time with the ones they love.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is My Grown-Up Christmas List. It really depicts how I feel about Christmas this year. My wishes aren’t for presents but for happiness, no drama and the realization in everyone that life isn’t so bad. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2013!