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Making Wishes Come True

The other night, my children begged and begged for me to put up our Christmas tree. It was a beautiful evening, the snow was falling, and we were snuggled up nice and warm indoors after playing outside. Well, with hot chocolate in hands and festive music playing in the background, I complied and we put up the tree. Sure, it's early, but I'm in the mood to celebrate all things festive already, and so are my children. After all, it is such a magical time of year.


I have so many wonderful memories of the holiday season from my childhood—decorating the tree, baking cookies, singing carols, writing letters to Santa, asking for the perfect gift (My Little Pony, a guitar, a globe, Rainbow Brite, and Strawberry Shortcake are some gifts I remember asking for and being so excited to receive!). For my sister, I'm sure her favourite and most memorable Christmas memory is when she received Cricket—the big talking doll. One memory that has stayed with me is of staying up really late to attend midnight mass and then coming home to eat a very late Greek dinner. We'd then get to open one Christmas gift before finally going to bed.

The holidays are all about family, togetherness, and making wishes come true—it's such a wonderful time, especially for children. It's amazing to see the sparkle in my children's eyes as they discover the magic of the holiday season, from giving back to those in need, to asking for, and receiving, that special something they've been longing for.

I remember flipping through the Sears Wish Book, and circling all the toys I wanted when I was younger; now I watch my children do the same thing, with excitement. It's fun to hear their giggles and excitement as they plan out what they want to find under the tree each holiday season.

Waking up on Christmas morning is always so amazing, and now with children running through the house to see what Santa left them, it's even better. Children grow so quickly, and though they won't believe in the magic of Santa forever, the early memories will stay with them a lifetime. And even when they're old enough to understand it's not Santa leaving the gifts under the tree, they'll still appreciate the magic and wonder of the season, because they'll still receive that special something they've asked for.

Have you or your children had the chance to flip through the Sears Canada Wish Book yet this year? I've got a few items circled off myself, and so do my children. Hey, as long as there is a healthy balance with giving, I see nothing wrong with receiving, especially at this time of year.

To help get you in the festive mood, Sears Canada is giving away three $50 gift cards to three of my readers so that you can make someone on your shopping list very happy this Christmas. Simply leave me a comment below telling me what you love best about the holidays, and what a favourite holiday childhood memory is for you! (I'll be randomly picking a winner on December 5th, 2014.)


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Sears Canada, however all views and opinions are my own. 

Comments

Erika E said…
I love having lots of time to spend with my family. School and work are done for a short while and we can have fun together. When I was a child we used to get parcels from my grandma. They always came wrapped in brown paper and big or small, no matter what was inside, I always loved seeing that parcel under the tree because it reminded me of her even though I couldn't see her at Christmas.
Glogirl said…
What I love best about the holidays is spending time with family and enjoying all the holiday baking!
A childhood memory I have is waiting to hear "Santa" fill my stocking. As kids, my siblings and I would hang our stockings on the door knobs to our bedrooms. If we were still awake we could hear Santa filling our stockings late at night!

ajmizen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Unknown said…
I love holiday baking! Cookies and cakes are everywhere in our house! My favorite memory is when I woke up on Xmas morning to find the SheRa crystal palace I'd been wishing for was there!
Thanks ❤
Mary.e.gaudet @ gmail.com
Julie said…
I love cozy days at home baking and making Christmas crafts with my kiddos. One of my favourite childhood holiday memories was waking up to find a cabbage patch doll under the tree. :)
flowerchild said…
I love spending time with family and friends, enjoying the food ,the decorations. My favorite childhood memory is waking really early and wanting to go see what Santa had brought me. Me and my older sister shared a room and I would bug her all morning.

flower_child_23(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Tracy said…
My favourite Christmas memory is baking win my mom and grandmother and then eating the baking! I can still taste my grandmother's homemade date squares! I still cherish home baking around the holidays - I think it's my favourite part of the holidays.
Anonymous said…
My favourite Christmas memory is having my grandparent coming to our house on Christmas Eve. We would have a big dinner & they would get us ready for bed. Then we would all wake up at 4am to open presents and have a special Christmas Breakfast.

Linda lhomareau@yahoo.ca
Karen said…
My favourite Christmas memories are simply having my entire family together on Christmas Day. Now I love decorating the tree with my kids and watching them soak in the season.
Anonymous said…
My favorite Christmas memory as a child is when I was 6yrs, I got my first Barbie& my first Cabbage patch doll. As an adult it would be when my oldest child helped me make our first Christmas cake! Even though she didn't enjoy it we had fun making it together!
Navymansgrl said…
I love the holidays because i finally get to see my mother and father who I miss dearly. My favorite memory is on my 5th birthday when I opened a loosely covered box to find my first puppy Scooter!!
navymansgrl1@yahoo.com
Unknown said…
I love cozy days, especially in the days right after Christmas when you can enjoy time with the family, and the kids are playing with their new toys. A favourite childhood memory of mine is walking to the local plaza in the dusk with my sister to go Christmas shopping.
sarah letendre said…
what I love most at christmas is seeing my children happy and excited on christmas morn .
As a child I loved having our aunts, uncles and cousins come to our house for dinner, it was a great family time
sarah letendre said…
forgot my email , sjj7731@gmail.com
ilovemeowmix1 said…
My favorite holiday memory as a child was going Christmas tree cutting with my family in the woods. My favourite part about the holidays is having the rare occasion of having all the family together. And all the delicious food!

veronique_1998@hotmail.com
This Mom said…
My favourite childhood memories involve Christmas Eve...the anticipation, going to Mass, getting new pyjamas, and heading to bed with visions of Barbies dancing in my head!
Angie B said…
I hope I am not too late to enter! My favorite part was going going to my aunts house for the holidays. We would go to church on Christmas eve and then spend the evening playing games and open one gift. It seems like yesterday still even thought it's been about 20 years now! Angandcolin(at)hotmail.com
Anonymous said…
Now having children I know the importance of family, love and traditions. When I was little I spent every Christmas Eve at my grandparents house and we had so much fun together, we waited until midnight and opened our gifts. I take my little ones to see their grandparents now and it just seems right. Christine Da Silva
Unknown said…
Giving birth to my bautiful daughter last year. Christmas will never be the same for us first time parents!
meg venuto said…
My favourite part about the holidays is and always has been hanging stockings at my grandparents house on xmas eve and opening pjs that matched my 2 sisters. Even as an adult I go to my grandparents every xmas eve to keep up the tradition =)