There comes a time in a person’s childhood when the Christmas spirit starts to fade. For those of us who celebrate Christmas, in our earlier years, counting down the days until Santa would fly his sleigh to bring gifts down the chimney was what so many of us would all anxiously anticipate. But as we get older, Christmas is not viewed the same way as it used to be. The magic slowly dwindles and the season begins to develop a different meaning.

   As a kid, Christmas was more than just a day on the calendar; it was a day of magic and wonder. Junior Ceiba Zurita said, “Christmas was always a special holiday for me because I got to spend time with my large family. It was always the night I could never fall asleep.” The excitement leading up to Christmas morning captures the anticipation and wonder found in countless childhood memories.

   Some of the most special traditions as a kid included baking cookies and writing letters to Santa. “As a kid, I loved setting out cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. When I would wake up in the morning, only crumbs and an empty glass would be left,” said Junior Julia Gillespie Carlson. The excitement of believing made the holiday feel magical and brought an unmatched joy that defined the season.

   But for many, the change starts with the realization that Santa is not real. “When I went into my parents’ bathroom to grab something, I saw presents that were labeled with tags that said ‘From Santa.’ They happened to be the same gifts that I got on Christmas day. That’s when I discovered that he didn’t actually exist,” said Carlson. The realization is a defining moment when the innocence and imagination of childhood becomes replaced by the reality of growing up.

   Others discovered the truth in a similar moment. “On Christmas Eve, I decided to pull an all-nighter [staying up all night],” said Junior Carola Cacciamani. “That’s when I discovered my parents putting all the gifts under the Christmas tree.” This marked the transition from childhood oblivion to adolescent reality.

   According to an article about Christmas spirit, as we grow up, Christmas starts to have a deeper meaning than just presents under the tree. Though the childlike wonder of Christmas fades with the realization that Santa isn’t real, it is replaced with something new. The holiday becomes more centered around time spent with loved ones and the traditions that unite us together (medium.com).

   Whether the traditions include building gingerbread houses, baking cookies, or watching classic holiday films, they provide comfort and connection to Christmas that keeps the spirit alive. “Every year, my family and I bake cookies and watch Christmas movies together,” said Cacciamani. Even without the same innocent wonder as before, the feeling of togetherness brings a new type of magic, one that is built on love and nostalgia.

   As time goes by, the Christmas spirit doesn’t disappear — it changes. The older we get, we realize that the holiday spirit is about the simple moments with family or the comfort of traditions. Though the magic may no longer stem from the belief in Santa, it transforms into a magic based on love, laughter and memories that will be created with loved ones.