How to celebrate the holidays like a kitchen witch

(This blog was previously written and published in 2021 for the release of Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas).

So why did I choose to bring out our favorite Magic Spring’s ghost to write a Christmas story? Maybe the traditions of Christmas always made me think of the relatives who, aren’t with us anymore. I always bring out the china that my mom gave me from her first set when I’m setting a holiday table. It’s beautiful and delicate and makes me remember, not only my mom, but also my father,

who died when I was just a baby.

Serving mashed potatoes in the same bowl that my mom always used reminds me of those large family dinners we had at the farmhouse. A different set of relatives since my mom had remarried by then. I had gained two stepbrothers who enjoyed getting married more than they did staying married.  So the players at the table changed year to year, but Mom always made everyone feel welcome. 

Memories around Christmas can be painful or healing. After my mom passed a few years ago, I spent several holiday meals missing her amazing cooking as I tried to recreate the experience for my small family (me and the Cowboy).

Finally, I realized that the way you honor the past is by not recreating the past, but by inserting the memories and keepsakes into new memories.

One of the traditions I enjoy is sending Christmas cards. Old-fashioned, maybe, but the post office loves me. As I write the short notes, I try to think of ways I can share my new life with distant relatives and friends. I love getting cards in the mail and have a closet door by the stairs that always gets plastered with Christmas cards as they come into the house.

Another tradition that I’ve let slide way too many years (just because it’s the two of us) is having a Christmas tree. This year, the activity is on my calendar. I enjoy sitting at night in the living room, watching the lights blink off and on, and thinking. Thinking and remembering.

So when Mia is called to host a Christmas party for Magic Springs, she does the school’s lobby up right. Three trees, including a silver one with blue ornaments. Add in a light wheel, and that was my childhood tree. At least until we moved to the farmhouse. Then the new tradition became a green tree. Still fake, but not my pretty sixties silver. My brother got one at a yard sale, and I was so jealous.

Mia turns the decorating over to Trent, who’s much better at it, and she deals with the ghost that keeps showing up and threatening to ruin their upcoming party.

That’s always the way with ghosts and memories. You can never trust them to be merry and bright.

What’s your favorite holiday memory?