There are many of us out there, like myself, who find this time of year quite overwhelming.  I love the holidays.  I love the lights, the movies, the music, the decorations.  I REALLY love the food!  I love spending time with my family, reminiscing about the past, remembering our loved ones who are no longer with us, and telling stories about each other until we are laughing so hard we have tears in our eyes.

What I love the most, are the memories that are made.  Those are the things in life that you can not put a price tag on or place into a shiny, sparkly box.  The older I get, and the older my children become, I realize how quickly time passes us by, and I wish I could just hold onto those moments, like during the holidays, where everyone is so happy to be around each other, all sharing stories, living and loving life together.

A sweet guest of mine made the choice to not buy traditional “presents” this year.  She said her children want for nothing, they have everything they need, but she really wants to give them something that they can look back on year after year and say, “we did this together”.   So, we booked her family a cruise to Disney’s Castaway Cay, and she has created the cutest Disney scavenger hunt for them for tomorrow morning, as they open boxes and gather clues such as new beach towels, sunglasses, bathing suits, Disney movies, etc.,  to figure out their grand finale present.   She said she has felt so fulfilled knowing that her family will still receive “something” at Christmas, but she is truly giving them memories that will last a lifetime.  Together we detailed their flight in, where she will be spending one night at Walt Disney World before shuttling to Port Canaveral and hopping aboard the Disney Wonder to set sail for several glorious days and nights this spring.    This, she said, will be the kind of Christmas she will continue to give her family.  A memory making Christmas that allows for hopes, dreams, excitement, and love to fill her family’s bucket for the rest of their lives.

I have debated myself, year after year, saying “no” to presents and taking our family away for the holidays.  She has inspired me to make that happen.  Maybe it will be Christmas next year, or maybe for a different holiday or festivities in which we would normally celebrate with a variety of presents that our children don’t really need.  But the memories….that is what we truly hold onto.  That is what I want to give to my family….years and years of memories, that as we go through life, we have many stories to share and bonds to create, as we travel together, learning more about each other, and appreciating each other for who we are.

If this story has inspired you, please contact me, and let me help add some magic to your future holidays and celebrations.  It’s never too late to make memories.  debbie.lands@magical-vacations.com