Most people remember the anticipation of childhood Christmases – the heady joy of anticipation,the magical wonder of it all and a general feeling of happiness for weeks in advance.This tends too wane a little during the teenage years and even more so into adulthood when ther is a little less excitement and more of a lean into cooking, cleaning and shopping for all in sundry.
but as soon as children arrive on the scene, the joy of the festive season returns in abundance as parents get to experience the magic and awe through thier child’s eyes. So there is there’s no doubt whatsoever that baby’s first Christmas is a special time as new parents enjoy the occasion and also look forward to future celebrations.
A new generation for family traditions
Ariana Dunne can attest to this as she and her husband Graham O’Reilly are over the moon to be getting ready for the festive season with their beautiful new baby, Raya, who was born in October.
“This Christmas is going to be very special,” she says.”It is only our second as a couple and we are realy looking forward to have Santa in the house. We also have a dog called Molly who loves presents as much as anyone else, so there is going to be a lot of excitement.”
“When I first moved into my apartment in December 2017, I didn’t have get a tree, then the next year I bought a very small 4ft one as Molly was just a puppy and I didn’t want her messing with it. I used that tree ever since, but this year, we are going to buy a big 7ft tree and we’re very excited about decorating it and getting some personalised decorations for Raya.”
“And as Graham has two daughters, we are also looking forward to involving them and having an choice Christmas with them as they will spend the day itself with their mom.so it will be nice making some new traditions for us all as a blended family as we all have a great relationship – so much so that graham’s ex-wife cooked us a big spag bol dinner when we arrived home from the hospital with Raya, so everything is really amicable, which is lovely.”
Ariana, who runs her own coaching buisness called mindstream.ie, says that although her daughter is still only a few months old, Santa will definitely be visiting the house and she is looking forward to carrying out some of the traditions she enjoyed as a child but hasn’t had the possibility to experience with her own family yet.
“Much like the song, I’m really looking forward to getting to kiss Santa claus for real for the first time this year and I also can’t wait to be like Mrs Claus myself,” she laughs.
“In terms of presents, as Raya is still so small, Santa will probably bring her some little sensory gifts and books, and maybe some nice little outfits or something like that. But, I’m sure we’re not going to be spending a huge amount of money on Christmas presents for her this year, because she’s so young.”
A New Christmas Chapter: Experiencing the Magic Through a Child’s Eyes
Table of Contents
The holiday season is a time for tradition, and for many, it’s a period of cherished memories passed down through generations. Though, it’s also a beautiful time to forge new traditions as families grow and evolve. This sentiment is notably poignant for a new mother reflecting on her first Christmas with her son, Joshua, and the joy of experiencing the season anew. This year holds special importance, marked by both continuing beloved customs and creating fresh ones, all while celebrating the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child.
Continuing Family Traditions
The speaker expresses a desire to carry on traditions,passing them down to Joshua. A cornerstone of many Irish Christmases is the annual Late Late Toy Show, a hugely popular television special showcasing toy demonstrations and featuring children. This year’s show held particular emotional weight, as it was during the broadcast that the speaker discovered she was pregnant the previous year.The Late Late Toy Show is a cultural phenomenon in ireland, frequently enough considered a kickoff to the Christmas season and a source of national joy.
The joy of New Beginnings
The anticipation of experiencing Christmas through Joshua’s perspective is a central theme. The speaker is excited to witness his reactions to the sights, sounds, and gifts of the season, recognizing that this marks the beginning of a new family chapter. While acknowledging that Christmas will be different, she embraces the change as a positive one. This sentiment resonates with many parents, who find renewed wonder in the holidays through the innocence and excitement of their children.
Creating Lasting Memories
the speaker specifically mentions a new tradition: a family photo by the Christmas tree every Christmas Eve. This simple act encapsulates the desire to create lasting memories and establish a unique family identity. These intentional traditions become touchstones for future celebrations, strengthening family bonds and providing a sense of continuity.
Key Takeaways
* Tradition & Innovation: Balancing cherished family traditions with the creation of new ones is a hallmark of growing families.
* the magic of a Child’s Perspective: Experiencing holidays through a child’s eyes brings a renewed sense of wonder and joy.
* Intentional Memory-Making: Creating new traditions,like a family photo,fosters lasting memories and strengthens family bonds.
* Cultural Significance: The Late Late toy Show is a deeply ingrained part of Irish Christmas culture.
The upcoming years promise a wealth of new Christmas memories for this family, built on a foundation of love, tradition, and the simple joy of celebrating together.As Joshua grows, the traditions they establish will undoubtedly evolve, but the spirit of togetherness and the magic of Christmas will remain at the heart of their celebrations.
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