“Even though she was a grown woman, she believed in Santa Clause, flying reindeer, elves and sacks with bottomless room for toys. Furthermore, she believed that believing in these things was the chief reason she had more fun in life than others.”

(My daughter at the Christmas tree farm this year)

I view the world with a sentimental heart and a mind that longs to always be filled with wonder and awe. I am eternally viewing the world glass half full, and believing the best about everyone. Every year as summer draws to an end,  I get this overwhelming feeling of excitement, joy, nostalgia and goosebumps all rolled into one. October through December is my absolute favourite time of year. I live for these three months.

A close friend this year asked me, “why Fall?” and I had a hard time putting into words why Fall and Christmas mean so much to me. Until I realized, to me they aren’t seasons or holidays, they’re opportunities to experience that wonder, joy, emotion and to create those memories that will be etched in our minds for the rest of our lives. They’re the one time of year, it’s encouraged to believe in magic. Where we can freely experience the same wonder and awe we felt when we were 3 years old and meeting Santa for the first time. It’s the time of year random acts of kindness are done more often, singing on peoples front door steps is encouraged, everything sparkles, eggnog comes out, printer paper can be made into snowflakes, and Elf is quoted and on repeat. The best part for me is friends drop by more often, family dinners  last a little bit longer, and stories are shared over food and wine….so much food and wine. :)

Growing up, I was blessed to have two parents who embraced both Fall and Christmas. My parents invested so much of their time and energy into making sure we had the most magical childhoods. My Dad would take us for walks in the forest and tell us to listen to the sound of the crunching leaves. October was pumpkin patch visits, homemade costumes that my Mom spent hours on and my Aunt coming over to help us sort through our candy.  My Mom would enlist our help with her Christmas baking, decorating, and crafting, all while listening to Christmas music. We would light the Advent candles, eat tortierre and attend Christmas Eve mass in our fancy Christmas dresses and celebrate the birth of Christ. We would watch the same movies every year, and now have inside jokes for most of them that go back to when we were little.  Our Christmas family traditions are so etched in stone, that without them Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas.

So many people this Fall sent me memes and funny cartoons about pumpkin spice and girls in uggs loving starbucks, and I LOVE them all! And so love that those things remind others of me! :) At the same time, it’s so much deeper than just a love of pumpkin and spice. I fully embrace both seasons and fully commit to everything that comes with it.

Christmas for us starts November 25 with decorations, music, baking, movies, candy, scented soaps and candles and so much more. We start our festivities full swing with a trip to the christmas tree farm, the High Street Christmas tree lighting where I cry every single year when the tree gets lit and it starts snowing. I am right in there with the kids staring up watching the snow fall (who cares if it’s fake. Be all in.) Two years ago, we woke up our son at midnight to run outside and twirl around in the first snow of the season. We surprised him this year by sneaking into his room after he had fallen asleep and decorated his room with hanging snowflakes and Christmas lights. And I know once again, I will cry Christmas morning watching the kids open their stockings.

To those who asked me “why”, the only reply I can think of is “why not?!” This is your once chance to fully live this season. (Because then comes January, and let’s face it, who out there actually likes January?!)

Living life full means embracing every moment, and living it all the way in. Living it as full and as big as you can. Squeezing every last drop out of it, so you can look back and say “yea, we did that good.” Feeling every emotion, taking advantage of every tradition, letting yourself get caught up in it all because there is nothing better than being swept off your feet by life. We have this glorious opportunity to create our own memories. We get to make our life what we want it to be. We have the choice to be festive. To live in the moment fully.  Why not dive right in, Santa hat and all and let the magic in?

 (My son last year after we drove to the top of a mountain cause all he wanted for Christmas was to build a snowman….that and Lego)

* Follow along on Facebook and Instagram as I reveal more details about the NEW brand launch, January 14!

 

 

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