Imagine a family tradition where a Christmas tree magically ‘grows’ overnight every year. This is the story of my family and our extraordinary annual ritual. Despite the commercialization of Christmas in the modern world, our family managed to maintain a unique and heartwarming practice that revolved around the ‘magic’ of Christmas.
A Family Tradition of Growing Christmas Trees Overnight
Every year, as November drew to a close, my family and I would embark on an exciting mission to find the perfect pine cone. The anticipation would build as we donned our coats and boots, racing towards the playground with the evergreen trees. The selection process was meticulous – the pine cone couldn’t be too tall or too short, too broken or too high in the tree. With the help of my Dad, we would carefully pluck the chosen pine cone from the branch, cradling it as we returned home, preparing it for its magical transformation.
The Magic of Christmas in a Pine Cone
At home, we would gather around a dirt pot, each taking turns to dig a hole for our special pine cone. The hole had to be just right. Once it was, we would place the pine cone inside, cover it with dirt and pat it gently. Then came the most enchanting part of our ritual. My Mom would produce a ceramic shaker painted with a golden snowflake, filled with what she described as the most valuable thing on the planet: Christmas magic. We would sprinkle these golden flakes over the pine cone, making it sparkle with a beauty that words could never truly capture.
Prayers and Anticipation
Once the magic had been cast, we would hold hands around the pot, praying for our tree to grow big and strong, but not so strong that it would break through the roof. The rule was that the tree would never grow if someone was watching, so we had to rush off to bed, leaving our magical tree to grow in peace. I still remember the uncontrollable excitement that would keep us awake, wondering how our tree was doing.
The Morning Surprise
On one unforgettable morning, I woke up to find our family room bathed in the soft glow of multicoloured lights. As I descended the stairs, I was greeted by a six-foot-tall tree adorned in these lights. It was pure magic! That day at school, I couldn’t help but share the story of our magical tree with my friends, basking in their disbelief and awe.
The Truth About Christmas Magic
As years passed, I learned that the ‘Christmas magic’ was in fact just glitter. But that didn’t dampen my spirit or my love for our tradition. Now, our family visits a Christmas tree farm, enjoys free apple cider, and selects our tree. Despite knowing the truth, the magic still lives on. We still go pine cone hunting and I still wake up to a decorated tree, filled with excitement and warmth.
The Real Magic of Christmas
Through my family’s tradition, I’ve learned that Christmas isn’t special because of the traditions, but the people you share them with. Whether it’s running to the park to hunt for pine cones or decorating the tree together, what truly matters is the love and joy shared with the ones you hold dear. This is the true magic of Christmas.
Autumn Wartman lives in Ridgeway, Ontario, cherishing her family’s unique Christmas tradition and continuing to spread the magic of Christmas.
