The Magic of Xmas

Magical Inspiration found here

TES PTA Board post-holiday bazaar

This week was just full of holiday fun.  Looking back on it has brought a huge grin to my face and made me think about the xmas' of my very own childhood.  There is a magic in the air this time of year and while keeping it mostly in check, it feels good to see the little ones bask in all its glory (and the adults, too!).

Our PTA shopping mall in the TES gym

The annual PTA holiday bazaar is a thing of beauty.  We ask for gently used items to be donated by the parents and supplement with a few hundred items we shop for prior to the big day. In total we have over 1,200 items in our make-shift mall.  The kindergartners through fifth graders get to "shop" our store and then our happy team of volunteers wraps each present for them (10 item maximum). We have seasoned parent volunteers, as well as a few staff members from the school and friends/family members pitching in to help.  I definitely was floating on a post-holiday bazaar high when it was all said, done & cleaned up.  Celebrating over bottles of bubbly with my friends topped off the whole she-bang.  Oh, I can't wait until next year!

Dear friend and neighbor donating her day to help wrap for the kids

You hear the sweetest things from the young shoppers and see the unlikeliest of items chosen for their loved ones.  One year Steve received a hot pink race car from Grady.  Every year I receive a hot pink bedazzled necklace from my son, so we'll see if the tradition continues.  He did share with me that it was in the jewelry family, so chances are high in that regard.

We rounded off the week with a birthday celebration for our good friend over oysters, cracked crab, artisan cheeses, jumbo butter lettuce salad and lots of sparkling wine and a flourless chocolate cake with créme fraiche whipped cream.  Yummy.  Our friends are wonderful hosts and make it all look so very easy-breezy when they entertain.

Sitting around the fire and talking about holiday traditions next to their decked out tree was another reminder of the past.  We shared memories of special care packages coming from distant relatives and the happy coincidence that almost all of us opened pajamas on xmas eve.  Gathering over good food, friends, music and laughter is truly the spirit I've been trying to seek out this season.

Gathering with this set of friends was a beautiful way to end this week of hustle and bustle.  Also, seeing the magic of xmas on the children's faces made the work that went into this week totally worth it and a gift in its own rite.

Grady modifying the Jesus Action Figure by adding height to him atop his wallet made me laugh out loud.  The irony of this picture.  How many shopping days until Jesus' birthday?

Boxes of trinkets from the holiday bazaar proudly lined up and displayed under the tree.

Mistletoe decor made at G's first 4-H Club meeting

So, my glittering eyes are wide open and I've clumsily stumbled upon the hidden magic.  It was here all along, just waiting for me to find it and unlock its secrets for me and my family this holiday season.

Here's to hoping you find the magic of this season, too.