My wife and I used to get up to all sorts to make things magical on Christmas morning. I used to lay sheets of newspaper near the fireplace, then make footprints with my wellies on them. The carrots were bitten off part way up, and Santa's can of lager was always empty. I've seen us shaking bells outside their bedroom windows when we knew they were still whispering away, and the sound really did encourage them to close their eyes, because it was bad luck to see Santa, and maybe he would leave early, or forget to leave a gift.
I'm not known for great sentimentality, but I so miss those days, with the laughter and giggles, then the tramp of feet along the hall to our bedroom and the sheer joy on their faces as they trooped in with a stocking each filled with silly little toys, and most importantly a juicy tangerine wrapped in tissue and a shiny Macintosh's red apple. These would be spilled out onto our bed as the excitement built. Then, it was downstairs for the main event, an inspection of the fireplace, excited chatter about Santa's bootmarks and of course the gifts! Bags were marked with names and laid out so they each had a bit of the floor to lay their things.
As I type this, I have a lump in my throat and more than a tear in my eye. Our youngest child, and only daughter is now 18, and soon will leave home. I also realise just how much I miss those mornings. Our boys too are grown up, all living away from home and while we do get together and do have such a laugh at Christmas, something of the magic of Christmas day is lost as childhood comes to an end.
For those of you with young children, you must cherish each and every day of their lives, but those special Christmas mornings are the stuff of the happiest memories, and you have to keep them in your hearts forever. You don't have to spend a fortune either, just plan ahead, buy something here and there, but above all have fun. They may be noisy and waken you at 6am or earlier, but just enjoy the moment, because it seems to have all passed so quickly, and then you will realise as I do, how special this time of the year can be.
I have read this over, and realise that one or two of my children may read this and squirm a bit with embarrasment, but if they do, they should read it again when they have children. Then they will understand what the love of a child on Christmas morning is, and how magical this day is.
Merry Christmas to all of you