Recipes For Life: A Memorial, Magical, Meaningful Christmas

By Kandy Derden Things-to-do Editor

What was your Most Memorable Christmas?

One of my first years hosting the family gathering comes to mind. I had been assured it was okay if I wanted to keep things simple. It went against every tradition I thought should be upheld, but instead of a full, sit-down dinner, we had everything laid out on the kitchen counter so everyone could serve themselves. As my sixyear-old nephew went through the line, he told me I was the best cook in the whole world! I remember it not because of the compliment, but because of the irony. On his plate, there was a pile of potato chips and two cookies. I must admit, as I looked over the assortment of holiday specialties on the buffet, that sort of popped my bubble. Sometimes the most memorable were not the best. But then, I realized: it’s not about me.

What was your Most Magical Christmas?

This one is a little bit easier. We were never taught to believe in Santa Claus. On the contrary, we were taught not to speak to strangers. And this loud man wearing funny red clothes was definitely strange to me. I remember specifically refusing to tell him my name. My sister was a bit more vocal. She told him if he was really Santa, he would already know her name. You simply can’t argue with the logic of a child. That being said, we were nearly adults when we realized how the Santa who didn’t know our names still had packages for us with our names on them. Apparently, our grandparents were already practicing the policy: it’s not about me.

What was your Most Meaningful Christmas?

It’s odd what we do and do not remember. The first year after college when I was living several states away, I began checking airline rates and schedules in September. I bought my ticket and finished gift shopping in October, making sure to get something for everyone which was small and easy to fit into my luggage. Everything was wrapped and packed long before Thanksgiving. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process involved in making that Christmas special. As a result, I found out I usually enjoy the preparation and expectancy of a magical event more often than the actual event. You see, I don’t remember much of anything else about that Christmas. What sticks in my mind the most was packing for my return trip. It had never once occurred to me to make plans for a way to get any Christmas gifts I might receive back home with me. Yes, I think perhaps I was beginning to get a grasp on

the true meaning of Christmas that year. That was the year I embraced the concept: it’s not about me.

Have you ever noticed how no matter how good or bad a Christmas may have been, we always make plans to do it again and again and again? Why? Tradition! Now, I’m not stuck on any ritual simply because it has always been done. I prefer to choose which customs I enjoyed enough to recreate, if not for myself, but for others to experience all the good things I found enjoyable. This is how I choose to practice: it’s not about me.

So, what Christmas is the most memorable, magical and meaningful? No contest. It’s always the next one.