This is not a gift guide

Feeling like your holiday is...missing a little something?

If you’re like us, your inbox right now is probably jammed with gift guides and limited time offers and holiday promotions from every single company you’ve patronized in the past decade. It’s helpful…but it’s a lot, and we here at Like Magic Headquarters thought you might appreciate a moment or two of holiday spirit that can’t be Apple-Paid or one-clicked or AI-generated. Since we started this project in 2021, we’ve shared many creative rituals from readers who have figured out how to infuse their holidays with meaning, and we wanted to remind you of a few favorites…

1. Start a Library of Memories

The ritual: “Every year around Christmas since were were little, my mom has given us a holiday picture book,” writes Emily from Massachusetts. “On the inside cover, she writes the year and a few memorable moments -- births, weddings, trips, moves. In December, the stack of books (now higher than I’d like to admit) is brought out for reading and it turns into a trip down memory lane.”
Why it’s magical: It invites you to curl up with your kids (or your dog) with a beautiful book in front of the fire, and prompts you to discuss memories that will remind them (and you) of your family history, that you’re part of something bigger. More details here.

2. Send a Gift Questionnaire

The ritual: “A few years ago, instead of asking my adult children what was on their Christmas wish list, I decided to send them a more personal questionnaire about their lives,” writes Tracy from Colorado Springs. She asked Are there any things you look for to bring warmth and comfort to the dark days of winter? or Are there any specific holiday traditions you are looking forward to more than others this year? or Is there a local small business/restaurant that you are particularly taken with? (See below for downloadable questionnaire.)
Why it’s magical: Because it really helps come up with meaningful gift ideas, not just presents you buy for the sake of buying. Plus, the responses themselves have even become part of the tradition. Says Tracy: “We read them while exchanging gifts over Raclette dinner on Christmas Eve." Download the questionnaire below and read more details here.

Holiday Gift Questionnaire

140KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

3. Decorate the Tree with Memories

The ritual: leading up to Christmas, reader Kathleen recently asked her four adult siblings to write down favorite memories of growing up, then fashioned each memory into a paper ornament to be hung on their parents’ tree on Christmas Eve.
Why it’s magical: The whole family can participate, even the grandkids, and it offers an exercise of real intention in the middle of the grandchildren's gift-wrap-tearing tornado. Says Kathleen: “When my parents woke up on Christmas morning, they were confused at first -- it wasn't the most beautiful looking tree, covered in tiny bits of paper -- but when they started reading, and slowly grasped what we had done, it was so beautiful. They both stood there and read them all, and just cried and cried. As did the rest of us.”

4. Personalize the Advent Calendar

The ritual: Reader Nicole makes a “verrry simple” advent calendar for her two daughters, ages 10 and 13. “I hang 25 envelopes, each containing a photo from the past year featuring our travels, milestones, family, and friends.”
Why it’s magical: “It's a way to reflect on memories from the year that's ending,” says Nicole, and to talk about the people we love.” Plus, it gets her to print out photos that would otherwise just live on her phone. More details here.

Thanks for reading! How do you infuse meaning into holidays, birthdays, and (most important) your everydays? Feel free to tell us all about it:

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