December arrives like a glitter-covered tornado — busy, chaotic, sparkly, and very merry. I love this month so much that I even let my daughter start decorating *before* Thanksgiving this year. Normally I’m a strict “Saturday-after-Thanksgiving” decorator. That sacred window gives us time for our annual Black Friday shopping trip with my sister and daughter — and gives the boys one last day of peace before basketball season and holiday chaos take over.
Christmas looks different as the kids get older. Their wants and needs have blended into one very expensive category, and apparently everything is now “a need.” All year I preach about wants vs. needs… and then December arrives and suddenly they “need” AirPods, shoes that cost more than my first car payment, and gadgets that require user manuals the size of novels.
I squirrel away a little each month so the holidays don’t flatten our bank account, but these lists? Cray-cray. My daughter’s entire wish list is over $150 per item. My son wants a new phone, an iPad, and… a dog. The third kid hasn’t submitted his list yet, which honestly feels ominous. It’ll likely be something sports-related or a jersey that’s been “totally necessary” since last Tuesday.
And then — the elves.
Whoever thought it was a great idea to give each of my children their own elf should probably come help manage the situation. Every December 1st, Snowflake, Chippy, and Snowman show up unannounced, ready to cause 24 days of mischief. I do love watching the kids hunt for them each morning, though. Last year they couldn’t find them on several occasions, and I’m not saying the elves were tired… but the elves were tired.
Some traditions hold steady, though. Christmas Eve is always spent with my father-in-law’s family. When we get home, the kids each open their one present — the same one every year: matching pajamas. We take our annual photo, put out cookies, carrots, and milk, and wrap the hallway door in wrapping paper so no one can sneak out early to inspect Santa’s work.
What’s funny is that two of my three kids are not morning people — except, apparently, on Christmas. By sunrise, our phones are blowing up with anxious kids ready to burst through the paper barrier like they’re in a holiday-themed action movie.
Christmas with teens may be louder, pricier, and slightly more chaotic… but it’s still magical. Just a different kind of magic — the kind wrapped in glitter, tech accessories, and the lingering hope that this might be the year nobody asks for a puppy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
