Well, Christmas is finally upon us! The weather has changed, the cold has arrived, the jackets are on, the hot chocolate is on the stove, and the presents are making their way under the tree. What a great time of the year!

Im a huge fan of the Christmas season for many reasons: I love giving a present that puts a smile on a face. I love watching my daughter spend weeks trying to peek at presents under our tree. I love singing “Reindeer” (AKA Rudolph the red nosed reindeer) to my daughter fifty times in a row as she screams “ ‘gain ” over and over. I love watching my wife erase the history on my computer after she shops for me even though she forgets that I get emails from our bank as to any online purchases. I just love the season of family. Christmas seems to be more about family than Thanksgiving does and I love that.

Growing up in Italy I have so many incredible memories. I remember walking down the old cobblestone streets in downtown Florence looking at all the lights and the shops while eating warm chestnuts straight from a street vendor. My dad would eat these by the bag and I love sharing these with him. I remember my mom going into different stores looking for gifts. If she was shopping for you specifically, you would have to wait outside with dad until she was done. This was usually excruciating as you really wanted to know what she was buying!

I remember sitting around the fire at the villa singing Christmas songs while waiting to see who’s turn it was to recite the Christmas poem that we would say every night.

“December first to Christmas is the longest time of the year

It seems as though old santa never will appear

Untie a candy every night when the sandman casts his spell

and Christmas will be here by the time you reach the bell!”

This was embroidered on a wall hanging and came with 25 little candies tied to each day of the december calendar. Each night we would take turns saying the poem and then we would take turns getting the candy each and every night. “Untying the Candy” is still a family tradition and has now been passed on to our kids.

I also remember Christmas morning. Who doesnt?! We would all line up from youngest to oldest and wait outside of the room with all of the presents. During the night “Santa” would “newspaper” over the door way so you could not see in. Thus, we would wait until everyone was awake and in line and then we would all bust through the newspaper to a room full of gifts, shouts of joy, and Christmas music. This is one of my favorite memories! 

In saying all of this, I just wanted to let you all know that I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. I hope its full of family. I hope that it is a time of joy. God bless!

Brandon