Merry May-mas, everyone!
Yes, this actually became a phrase of ours thanks to 2020. It’s been one hell of a year for everybody and it’s so easy to focus on things we’ve been restricted by, or not been able to achieve, however when are you ever given permission to hit “pause” on life?
This May, we decided to reinvent the Bank Holiday and create “May-mas”. Izzy the Elf came to stay for the weekend, a christmas tree was found and even a Turkey Crown. We dug out left over christmas crackers, decorated the downstairs and the elf was her normal “cheeky” self. So, why am I mentioning it now, in December? At the real time of Christmas? Maymas wasn’t about embracing the christian celebration, let’s face it - we’d only just got over Easter! However, May-mas was about the feelings and nostalgia that this time of year brings, in a time where many across our country were feeling uncertainty and restrictions.
It was interesting to see what our children wanted to include in May-mas… It wasn’t about a moutain of presents, or who had the newest and coolest toy or gadget - what they wanted was the same thing they receive every year… Those memories to be reincarnated and bring with them the feelings and warmth that they love to experience at this time of year. We managed to create festive decor in the house, with tree, lights and ornaments. We played board games and my long suffering family even got in on the act by joining us on Zoom for christmas themed party games. I’ll be honest, Zoom was an epic fail, with time delays, signal issues and sound problems but it’s been a source of laughable memories over the last seven months.
What May-mas did gift me, personally, was a reflective insight into what our children will cherish once their older. They cherish the time we have, together. The christmas eve walk, antics of the mischievous elf, the shocking christmas cracker based jokes and being able to create and cook a side to put on the christmas dinner table. They loved being able to see their extended family, albeit on a video call, and enjoyed sharing a duvet and tub of chocolates in a darkened room, lit by the light of a christmas film. When they reminisce, they don’t remember the couple of token presents we gave them to open under the tree, it’s the nostalgia that shines through. The repeated actions, activities and traditions James & I have chosen to continue from our own childhoods and what new traditions have developed from these, and our children’s own wants and needs for this “time of year”.
I feel so lucky that, in 2020, we have the technology that allows us, so easily, to capture a moment in time, keep it and share it with those we hold both close and dear so that a memory can live on for all those who want it. As parents, we all ant our children to have the best time, at Christmas or not, but I hope that the added value this time of year brings for us all results in family time, smiles and warmth for all.
Merry Christmas.