36 Things That Bring Christmas Joy
Hi, Merry Christmas!
Can I just say that Christmas is such a magical time! There’s something so special just being together and making memories with family and friends. It’s what makes this time my favorite! The weeks leading up to the holidays are just so fun. For most of my life, Christmas has been associated with falling snowflakes, snowy adventures filled with sledding, skiing, and building the largest snowman in the neighborhood, and then rushing inside for hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows by the fire. We always had a glistening Christmas tree, the four kids’ stockings hanging from the mantel, and lots of time for decorating gingerbread houses, singing drummer boy on repeat, and all things peppermint. There is nothing like the anticipation for the first snowfall of the season, cozy times by the Christmas tree, and the smell of sugary Christmas cookies filling the house.
Winter really is most merry time of year, and my love for this season grew even deeper and more meaningful with the arrival of my baby girl. I wanted to create a joyful, lighthearted holiday book that would capture all the wonder and delight of my own childhood Christmas. Santa‘s First Race is the perfect, fun-loving story for making memories with my daughter Pippa this Christmas. Little Pippa loves the story and babbles excitedly as she points to the illustrations. My husband and I love snuggling up in the glow of the Christmas tree and being present with her as we share this story together. It’s become a very merry and fun part of our Christmas traditions.
Our lil Pippa girl heard these rhymes and verse all through my pregnancy with her as I tried out different lines, and now she finds them so soothing and comforting. Sometimes now we choose a page and read the words and then point and talk about the illustrations and the story on that page. Other days, we read the story from start to finish and we get lost in the story and pictures together. Pippa gets so excited and traces her finger along the pictures and tries to repeat the sounds we are making! I wouldn’t be surprised if some of her first words are candy cane or Christmas!
I’m thrilled to share Santa’s First Race with you and hope this magical story becomes a treasured part of your holiday traditions too. Some of the best childhood memories for your little one are made with snuggles, being together, hearing your voice and laughter as you share a story together. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, caregivers, teachers, and many others will create special memories as they read this adorable book to their little ones. Reading aloud to children is so meaningful and important. It’s one of the most important gifts you can give this holiday season, and it’s also the gift that keeps on giving. Every time you read Santa’s First Race, something new will stand out and spark a new thought or inspire you to find more joy in the day.
These are just a few of my favorite Christmas things that bring me joy. It truly is only because of the little things in life that I can find such big joy. Christmas is full of little moments, from lighting the tree for the first time this season, to icing sugar cookies (maybe for the hundredth time this season!), and all are made sweeter in the presence of family and friends, and especially in the presence of the new joy of my daughter Pippa. I hope you find whatever brings you joy this Christmas, too!
xo, Lauren
Lauren is a children’s storybook writer from Texas. Lauren has been writing since she was little and has always enjoyed conversations pondering imaginative things!
“Gifting it to all my friends!”
Santa’s First Race is here!