ANSWER:

The true magic of Christmas lies in the spirit of your family's rituals, whether that includes baking cookies for a Santa who devours them or baking Christmas pie for grandparents. It is your family's rituals and the way you enjoy each other that gives meaning to the holidays!

Ask your husband to compromise. Create a blend of the rituals from each of your childhoods, that were meaningful. Why not incorporate the joy from both of your childhood experiences? You could embrace both fantasy and reality in your own family ritual. For example, one family's ritual includes reading the story "The Night Before Christmas", on Christmas Eve before gift-giving. Even though the two children always knew Santa to be pretend (and are now grown adults!), they insist the Christmas story be read! A belief in Santa Claus may simply express the spirit of generosity in all of us.

Let your husband know that fantasy, too, has its place. We teach our children the value of reaching for the impossible, in a variety of ways. Sometimes, fantasy serves the purpose of inspiring us. One mother I know believes in recreating the "magic" of Christmas through a ritual passed down from her own parents. The re-enactment of the story of Santa appearing in the kitchen to eat cookies, while children sleep, and the reindeer rattling the roof overhead is re-enacted each year. The children know it is not "real", but they enjoy it nonetheless! The true value of the ritual lies in the spirit of excitement and anticipation passed down through the generations, not whether it is "real" or not.

It is as valid to create a sense of "magic" through knowledge of the people who give you gifts, as it can be to embrace the fanciful story of the North Pole in your holiday celebrations. A beautiful sweater from Aunt Mary may remind a child of her Auntie's love. And the excitement of opening Christmas presents is not lessened because they did not come from Santa! But what would be wrong with another gift from the mysterious man and his reindeer?

If your family's holiday ritual is enjoyed and brings family members together, they learn to value family connection over disconnection. This is the hallmark of a successful family ritual. Successful family rituals develop a spirit of family that ensures the ritual continues through time, passed down through the generations.

A word of warning: Not all family rituals endure. Celebrations can become empty and atrophy when they do not meet the needs of its members. A successful ritual is based on enjoyment, which strengthens family connections. If the spirit of family ritual becomes stale, rather than meaningful, parents must create change. Family spirit does not happen "magically". Parents must stay tuned to the needs and enjoyment of all members, over time, if the ritual is to continue to bring people together in a way that proves enjoyable and meaningful.

Talk with your husband about a blend of activities that honors both of your perspectives, and stay open to the meaning and enjoyment inherent in your partner's suggestions. It is your job as parents to create your own meaningful family rituals, both in holiday celebrations and in daily life!