December Magic: Finding Family Stories in the Holiday Chaos

You know that moment when you're elbow-deep in Christmas cookie dough, trying to decipher your grandmother's recipe card that looks like it moonlighted as a coaster during the Great Depression? There's flour in your hair, on your phone, and somehow on the dog. You FaceTime your sister, asking, "One teaspoon or tablespoon of vanilla?" She responds with her usual holiday wisdom: "Does it matter? Just throw some in!" And suddenly, you realize: this isn't just about cookies. This is about keeping stories alive (and praying no one remembers that one year you forgot the sugar).

I get it. December can feel overwhelming—like you're auditioning for the role of “Christmas Chaos Coordinator” in a Hallmark movie. Your to-do list is longer than Santa's, and you're pretty sure you left half of it in the car with the unwrapped gifts. Christmas cards? Haven’t sent those since 2015, and even then, it was an email. (Let’s be real: if a stamp isn’t required, it’s not getting done. 🤷🏻‍♀️)

But here's what I've learned from decades of helping families uncover their stories:

The most magical family history moments happen right in the middle of the mess.

That’s why I’m inviting you on a special journey this December. I'm calling it #FamilyHistoryMagic, and don’t worry—it won’t require glitter, glue guns, or one more thing to stress over. Instead, think of it as permission to embrace the chaos and find the magic hiding in plain sight.

How It Works

Each Sunday, I’ll share a few simple activities you can do in 15 minutes or less to capture, preserve, or rediscover a piece of your family’s holiday story. No fancy equipment required—just your phone, your brain (as much of it as the eggnog hasn’t claimed), and your love for keeping your family connected through stories.

Some days, we’ll recreate old photos. Other days, we’ll document cherished recipes, and sometimes, we’ll ask questions that spark those “Wait, what?” moments. (Like the time Uncle Joe revealed he almost proposed to Grandma’s cousin instead of Grandma. Awkward.)

Here’s the best part: you can pick and choose which ones to try. No pressure, no guilt—just holiday fun wrapped in a little nostalgia.

This Week's Magic Moments ✨

🎄 Deck the Halls

Snap a photo of your favorite holiday decoration and write one sentence about why it's special to your family. Is it that macaroni ornament your firstborn made in kindergarten that somehow survived 17 moves? Or the crooked angel tree-topper you pretend isn't a little terrifying?

🎅 Dear Santa

Call or text an older relative and ask what their favorite childhood Christmas gift was. (Bonus points if they say "a lump of coal" and actually mean it.) For extra fun, Google an old ad for that gift and share it with your family.

🎵 Songs of the Season

Record a 1-minute voice memo humming or singing your favorite holiday carol. Don't worry if you can't carry a tune—neither could Grandma, and that didn't stop her from belting out O Holy Night like she was auditioning for Broadway.

🌟 The Tree

Every family has a "Christmas tree story." When do you put it up? Who decorates it? Does Dad grumble about the lights while everyone pretends not to notice? Share how your tradition has evolved over the years (or how it stubbornly hasn't).

Join the Magic

Here's how to participate:

1. Choose any of this week's prompts that spark joy (or at least a good laugh)
2. Share your story, photo, or recording on Instagram or Facebook
3. Tag me (@CristaCowan on Instagram) and use #FamilyHistoryMagic
4. Bonus points: Tag your family members to rope them into the fun!

Want to see what others are sharing? Click the #FamilyHistoryMagic hashtag to explore more family stories and maybe get inspired for your own posts.

Why These Little Moments Matter

You might be thinking, "Crista, it's just a photo of a beat-up ornament" or "Who cares about my off-key caroling?" But here's the thing: these seemingly small moments are actually building blocks of your family's story.

That ornament photo? It might spark a conversation with your daughter about which decorations she wants to take to her own home someday. (And let's be honest, probably an argument with her brother about who gets the macaroni masterpiece.) Your wobbly rendition of Silent Night could become the voice your grandchildren hear every Christmas, long after you've sung your last carol. And that story about Dad breaking the heirloom snow globe?  That will become the stuff of family legend, retold at every tree-trimming for generations to come.

This December, let’s find the magic in the moments we’re already living. These are the stories your family will tell long after the cookies crumble, the snow globe shatters, and the macaroni ornament finally falls apart.  Will you join me in discovering the #FamilyHistoryMagic?

✨

P.S. Don’t make this another to-do list item. Think of it as an excuse to pause, laugh, and remind yourself that perfection is overrated. (Unless we’re talking about perfectly crispy gingerbread cookies—those are worth aiming for.)