What Makes
Christmas Magical
Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy
and intangible magic
that fills the season. It comes through in the
delightful decorations, glorious get-togethers with
family and friends and the sheer feeling of joy one
gets from giving and receiving gifts.
Although the commercialization of Christmas is often
decried, shopping is an important and central
activity to some of the intangible magic of
Christmas.
It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of
the favorite sights, sounds and scents of Christmas
can be experienced. The decorations at Malls and
retail establishments are usually very fanciful and
eye-catching, especially to children, with the many
colorful and twinkling lights. It's also a wonder
for both adults and children alike to look
at the numerous tinsels, baubles and figurines such
as fairies, angels and little babies that adorn the
main Christmas tree in the center of shopping malls
and others in department stores. These trees are
usually extremely well embellished with decorations
that are arranged in a very professional way that
most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes.
It's therefore a delight for them to stare at such
trees in wonder and amazement.
Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail
establishments, there also is the sound of music
playing, bells ringing, the laughter and wishes of
Merry Christmas from shoppers that also create a
special atmosphere and add to the magic of
Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the
background adds something to the special feeling
shoppers have at Christmas time.
And of course there's always a Santa Claus that
children can meet and tell what they want for
Christmas, and also have their picture taken.
Sometimes Santa Claus may distribute Christmas gifts
to children, telling them that because they have
been very, very good they are getting an extra
special early Christmas present.
The ability to delight children by telling them
stories about Santa Claus, as well as making them
see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of
magic and excitement into Christmas. Once the
tradition is started, or from the first time that
children have been told the story, it becomes
something that they look forward to every year
during the Christmas season.
There's also the sound of music from choirs or
school groups who often give open performances
singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and
downtown areas of towns. Families and others who are
out and about will pause to listen or to sing along
with these groups.
Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for
most people during Christmas, but merrier and more
memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with
family, friends and colleagues during the season.
Before Christmas Day arrives, there usually are
parties at home and at work, an evening out with
friends and other occasions to get together and
share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of
special Christmas music and people dressed in
holiday attire provide a different atmosphere and
contribute to the magical feeling of the season.
Another thing that is different at Christmas is the
scent from a fresh
Christmas tree, of gingerbread and other cookies
baking and other food preparations that are
specially done at Christmas time. Most people who
select a real Christmas tree instead of an
artificial one for their homes do so because of the
wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that
scent from a Christmas tree is what puts Christmas
into everything else.
Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the
popular Christmas song 'Chestnuts Roasting Over an
Open Fire.' The actual roasting of chestnuts by
families during the Christmas season may be a rare
occurrence these days but it is occasionally done in
some downtown areas and in bakeries and
confectioneries that make fresh products everyday.
All these events, activities, happenings, sights,
sounds and scents of Christmas and the holidays
create special and unforgettable memories. And who
can deny that a pleasant memory is always something
that is truly magical.