The Magic is in the Making: Why Christmas Preparations Feel So Profound This Year
Every year, the calendar flips to December, and we are swept up in the beautiful chaos of the holiday season. We tackle gift lists, attempt complex baking recipes, and untangle that one stubborn string of lights.
Yet, for many of us, the feeling surrounding the countdown this year is different. It’s less of a frantic dash to the finish line, and more of a deeply intentional savoring of the process.
This year, the traditional Christmas preparations—the rituals we once rushed through—feel extraordinarily special.
The Healing Power of Sensory Ritual
In an increasingly digital world, Christmas prep offers a therapeutic, tactile anchor. This year, we are craving connection to the real and the immediate.
The first whiff of pine as the tree comes inside, the sticky warmth of ginger and molasses filling the kitchen, the soft, rhythmic click of ornaments being pulled from storage—these are not chores; they are small, sensory acts of healing.
We aren't just checking off "Decorate Tree" from a list; we are intentionally slowing down to watch the reflections on the glossy baubles, finding comfort in the hum of the fairy lights, and enjoying the simple quiet pleasure of the season.
The magic we seek on Christmas morning is actually being brewed right now, in the intentional space we create during preparation.
Reclaiming Connection Over Consumption
We’ve all experienced seasons where preparations felt like a transaction—a stressful means to an end. This year, there is a refreshing shift in motivation. The preparation itself is becoming the main event, transforming into focused memory-making.
Whether it’s the collective effort of wrapping gifts while watching a classic holiday movie, or the slightly messy tradition of rolling out cookie dough with loved ones, these shared projects are no longer obligations; they are prioritized moments of genuine connection.
We are choosing traditions that require togetherness—because the gift we truly want to give and receive this year is uninterrupted, quality time.
The Gift of Anticipation
To prepare is to anticipate, and anticipation is hope made tangible.
The act of hanging a wreath, setting the advent calendar, or planning the festive feast is an affirmation that joyful things are ahead. After periods of uncertainty, the ability to plan, to look forward, and to intentionally create a beautiful, predictable celebration is a gift in itself.
This year, don't rush through the tinsel and the tape. Savor the sticky fingers, appreciate the slightly mismatched decorations, and embrace the cheerful noise. The most special part of Christmas 2023 isn’t the destination—it’s the magnificent, messy, meaningful journey of getting there.