It’s the holiday season, and everything feels a little more magical and, well, a bit stressful too.. The most important focus is not about the gifts under the tree but on the memories we create around it. Decorating, watching movies, laughing, and just being together—those are the moments I hope my kids carry with them into their own families one day.

This year, I found myself thinking a lot about presence—not the kind wrapped in bows, but the kind that shows up fully. With the busyness of life and the holidays adding their own layer of chaos, it’s easy to rush through the season without really being there for it.

One of the most meaningful parts of the holidays for me is decorating the Christmas tree. It’s something we’ve always done as a family, and we never rush it. We put on our matching Christmas pajamas, play holiday music, and take our time.

Each ornament has its own story. Baby ornaments that mark the early years. Photo ornaments that freeze moments in time. And ornaments that honor loved ones who are no longer with us, like John’s mom, Diane, and my Grandma Betty. Diane’s ornament, with her name and dates, helps us bring her into these special times. And Grandma Betty’s ornaments, ones she gifted to my kids, remind us of her love and the joy she found in this season. It’s also a reminder that time doesn’t stop for anyone. As each moment happens, time continues. And sometimes, we take that for granted. 

As we hang each ornament, we reminisce. The kids love hearing the stories behind them, and I love seeing their excitement. It’s a moment to pause and reflect—a reminder of how quickly time passes and how precious these moments are.

Madden, my son, truly feels the magic of Christmas. It’s not just a December thing for him; it’s something he carries all year long. He loves holiday music so much that he’ll play it in the middle of summer, just to hold onto that feeling.

That’s what I love about the traditions we’ve built as a family. They’re not just about this season; they’re about creating a foundation of love, joy, and connection that lasts far beyond it.

One of our other traditions is watching holiday movies together. It always starts the week of Thanksgiving when we’re traveling. We’ll pull up Netflix and watch those cheesy, predictable rom-coms that drop every year. This year when we got home from New Jersey, to my surprise, Madden asked if we could watch another one. He didn’t care that we’d probably predict the ending. What mattered to him was spending time together as a family.

Moments like these remind me of the importance of being fully present. The holidays can feel overwhelming, especially for moms. So much falls on us—the planning, the shopping, the wrapping. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress and forget to savor the magic happening right in front of us.

But when I step back and focus on being present, I realize what truly matters. It’s not the gifts or the perfectly planned holiday. It’s the memories we’re creating—the laughter, the matching jammies, the stories, the quiet moments by the tree.

This year, Jersey, my daughter, was so excited about the holidays that she begged to bring out some of the decorations early. At first, I resisted. I thought, “I don’t have time for this right now.” I told her, “Let’s not skip holidays; Thanksgiving deserves its moment.” But then I saw how much joy it would bring her, and my perspective shifted.

Why not? Why not make time for what matters? Why not let her excitement lead the way?

So we went to the bins, pulled out the tree, and set up a few decorations. And when we got back from Thanksgiving, we decorated the tree as a family, just like always.

That experience taught me something important: Being present doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly or sticking to a rigid timeline. It means showing up for the moments that matter. The moments that when they are grown adults and enjoying moments with their own family, they will remember the foundation and where it all started. 

As we hung the ornaments, I watched my kids light up with joy. I saw them connect with the memories tied to each decoration. I heard their laughter as we teased each other about our matching pajamas. And I felt the magic of the season—the kind of magic you can only experience when you’re fully there for it.

I know my kids won’t remember the gifts they opened this year when they’re grown. But they’ll remember the time we spent together. They’ll remember the tree, the ornaments, the music, the movies, and the love that filled our home.

That’s the gift I want to give them—the gift of presence. Not just during the holidays but all year long.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how much we do or how perfectly we plan. It’s about the moments we show up for, the memories we create, and the love we share.

This holiday season, I’m choosing to be present. To slow down, to soak it in, and to make space for the magic. Because these are the moments that matter, and I know they’ll carry them with them, just as I carry the memories of my own childhood Christmases.

Here’s to being present this holiday season—and always.