Everyone said that having a child would reignite the magic of Christmas that is easily lost in adulthood.

I think it’s fair to say that this time of year can just start to feel like it’s all obligatory catch-ups, stress around hosting functions and massive guilt around spending too much or not spending enough.

And, don’t get me started on the drinking.

When my daughter Lucia was born in late October 2023, I don’t know if the magic was quite reignited as a two-month-old potato for her first Christmas but every December since (yep, a whole two other Christmases), I can feel the groundswell of magic building, no doubt.

And, honestly, it has nothing to do with the presents… mostly.

What we come to expect as part and parcel of Christmas celebrations – the tree, the decorations, the lights, the music, the Santa photos at the shopping centre, the menu planning, and even the delegation of jobs – I am seeing with a whole new set of eyes.

My husband and I had a rare Sunday off together in late November and while we were once staunch 1 December people for setting up the tree, we decided that would be a good opportunity to put Kelly Clarkson on the speaker (Underneath the Tree – the superior Christmas song in my opinion) and pull out the baubles.

Now did I have grand delusions of Lucia helping us decorate the tree?

Haphazardly shoving the baubles onto the branches without a care for two of the same colour sitting next to each other but knowing she had made that decision herself and being happy with it – yes!

Did that happen?

No. She could not have cared less about the baubles being hung and only wanted to tip them all out just to place them back in the bucket. That game was way more fun.

So, my husband and I (wearing Santa hats of course) fell into a jolly rhythm and dressed the tree in her Sunday best ourselves.

But, I can hand-on-heart tell you, that when we turned the lights on to have a final check, Lucia’s gasp of wonder, the sweetest little “oooooo” that escaped her throat as the flicker of the lights danced in her eyes, will live in my head rent-free until next Christmas.

It’s not about the stuff – it’s about the magic.

From something as simple as turning on a string of fairy lights.

For more lifestyle stories:

• Matt and Brett: Where will Santa find you?
• Adam and Belinda MacDougall: Paying it forward
• Your Newcastle and Hunter Christmas lights guide

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