Things that have made you Glow with "Christmas spirit" despite everything

[KeyboardWorriers]

Like many, I woke up today a bit down in the dumps, knowing I couldn't see family but also that so many people I loved would be spending Christmas alone. It's been a tough and brutal year and it would have been hard to find Christmas cheer at the best of times.

But then so many lovely things have happened today that gave me such a warm christmassy glow and I thought I would share and see if others had similar things for a more cheery thread?

• the children received their letter from father Christmas and the little ones were shaking with excitement
• we bumped into neighbors when out for a walk and had a lovely (distanced ) chat and all our little ones were so excited about Christmas still
• I was able to help a stranger in a simple way and they were so delighted
• a junior in my team asked for leave at short notice (for a good reason) and I decided to grant it and cover their leave and they sent the most lovely message

• we invited someone to spend Christmas day with us knowing they would now otherwise be alone and I wondered how the children would take the news but they were all so delighted and disappeared off to make little home made gifts for our unexpected Christmas guest
• my daughter was frightened of a dog and the owner took the time to gently reassure my daughter that she had been frightened of dogs at the same age whereas so many people act a bit offended when this happens

Sorry if this is to corny and cheesy but I was feeling so bleak worrying about so many people and these moments today made me feel a little better

@AlexaPlayWhiteNoise I am so sorry for your loss . But what an utterly beautiful moment it must have been when your DS said that. I hope he brings you lots of comfort at what must be such a hard time

My DC are very little (both under school age) and wake up around 6am so we've been coming downstairs, snuggling under a blanket on the sofa and watching a different Christmas movie each morning. They usually get bored after a bit and go and play but it's definitely got me feeling Christmassy.

I'm going to have mulled wine at home one day this week.... something I never do but I love it.

I'm also planning a living room camping evening dragging mattresses downstairs and sleeping on the living roon one evening, the DC will love it.

DC1 fell off their balance bike when we were out this morning and a man walking his dog stopped to ask if everything was ok. The dog wouldn't leave and he said it was worried and wouldn't keep walking until it knew everything was OK . It wss just really kind.

I finished work last Friday - work in early years and it’s a hard term (long, weather usually crap, kids get tired and grumpy etc etc) so we were all ready for the holiday. I got some of the loveliest, most touching cards & messages from ‘my’ parents and it was just the best end I could ever have asked for to this shit year - felt full of Christmas spirit and so so grateful to have such lovely people in my life. And I am now spending my holiday missing them all however I’m grateful for the time to spend with just my own kids; they’ve done so well this year in the face of all the madness and are so excited for Christmas. I think it’ll be magical for them, despite everything. It’s nice to just be together with no rushing around and nowhere else to be ❤️