From our family to Heart of the Holidays

When I think back to Christmas when I was growing up, I don’t necessarily remember one particular gift or one particular Christmas Day. What I remember most is the feeling.

We would decorate the Christmas tree, and my parents would place the presents underneath it. My dad was always incredibly intentional and generous when it came to our gifts. He would really listen to what we wanted and, if he could, he would get us exactly that, even when it was something expensive. As a child, that made Christmas feel incredibly special.

Christmas mornings always began with music. My dad had his George Michael and Mariah Carey Christmas CDs that he absolutely loved 😂. He would be singing, dancing, and trying to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. The only problem was that he had absolutely no rhythm and, in his own words, probably had two left feet! But that somehow made it even more memorable.

There was always plenty of food, laughter, music, and togetherness. Looking back, I think Christmas was my favourite holiday because it was one of the times when I felt such a strong sense of belonging and family. There was something about everyone being together, enjoying each other’s company, eating, laughing, and simply being present that made those moments feel safe and warm.

As for Santa Claus, I actually never believed in him. 😂 But that never took anything away from the magic of Christmas for me. The magic was in my family.

I remember feeling excited every Christmas, but now, as an adult, I also feel nostalgic. Those memories mean even more to me now than they did when I was a child. At the time, they probably seemed like ordinary Christmas celebrations: decorating a tree, opening presents, eating good food, listening to music, and laughing together. But I have come to realise that those seemingly ordinary moments can shape a child in ways we don’t always understand at the time.

The warmth, the laughter, the traditions, and the feeling of being loved can become memories that stay with you for life. When life gets difficult, I often find myself thinking back to those moments. Somehow, remembering the warmth of those Christmases can still lift my spirits. They remind me of where I come from, of the people who love me, and of what really matters.

That is one of the things I am most grateful for now that I have a son of my own. I get the opportunity to create those kinds of memories again, this time from a different perspective. I get to continue some of the traditions I grew up with, while also creating completely new ones with my dad, my brothers, and my son.

I don’t think there is much I look forward to more than that.

I want my son to experience that same feeling of love, joy, togetherness, and belonging around the holidays. I want him to have memories that he can look back on years from now and feel that same warmth.

And then there is Sinterklaas.

I have some wonderful memories of that too, especially as I got older and became part of creating the magic for my younger brothers. I loved helping to make their surprises, using my arts and crafts skills to create something personal and unexpected for them. Seeing how happy and grateful they were made it just as enjoyable for me as receiving surprises had been when I was younger.

What makes me smile even more is that they still remember some of the surprises I made for them.

I think that is the real beauty of these traditions. They evolve as we grow. At first, we are the children waiting excitedly for the presents and surprises. Then, eventually, we become the ones creating the excitement and memories for someone else.

And perhaps that is what the holidays are really about: not the presents, the perfect decorations, or even Santa Claus, but the love and memories we create around them.

Those moments may seem small at the time. But sometimes, they become the memories that shape us, comfort us, and carry us long after childhood is over.

Growing up, Christmas was something we looked forward to every year. Even when things weren’t always easy, my dad made sure there was a lovely meal on the table. For one evening, our worries felt a little less important, and we could simply enjoy being together. We are still incredibly grateful to him for creating those moments for us.

That is also why, every year around Christmas, we take a moment to remember that a carefree and festive Christmas is not something every family can take for granted.

When my dad first told me about Heart of the Holidays, I was immediately excited about the idea. I hope it will give other families the chance to enjoy a warm and memorable Christmas together, putting their worries aside for a little while.

One of my favourite Christmas memories goes back to when I was younger. I remember waking up early on Christmas morning and rushing downstairs to see if there were any presents waiting for me. I had been hoping for a PlayStation for a long time, but I wasn’t sure if I would actually get one.

When I opened my present and saw the PlayStation, I was over the moon. I had wanted one for so long and couldn’t wait to plug it in and start playing.

To me, it felt like the perfect Christmas. Not just because of the present itself, but because of the happiness and excitement I felt that morning. Even now, whenever I think back to Christmas as a child, that memory still brings a smile to my face.