My own childhood Christmas memories are (surprisingly, for an atheist!) centred around church. I remember the magic of being in the church in the evening, to rehearse for the nativity, and the ice cream and jelly at the sunday school xmas party.
At home, I remember my mum singing jingle bells to get everyone up in the morning, an amazing crayola crayon set with every colour ever, and staring at the multi-coloured xmas tree lights in wonder.
I remember, pre-kids, a lovely, snowy, xmas day cycle with DH.
Since the DC were born, my favourite memories are of hanging the stocking up the night before (and youngest DS taking a bite out of Rudolf's carrot and the mince pie when our backs were turned - first when he was too little to understand, and now as a tradition). Last year was a highlight - DS asked for a present which took a massive amount of time and effort to put together, and his amazement was totally worth it.
I have a mixed memory of a lovely weekend away, a few days before xmas one year. We had one amazing chilled out day, in and out the hot-tub, watching the Grinch, playing with lego and making xmas crafts. Then we caught Nicola Sturgeon on the radio announcing January school closures and a second lockdown, which put a dampener on things.
However, I think my favourite memories are of sitting in bed on xmas morning, after DH has made coffee and fetched the stockings, with the kids super excited, knowing there are loads of presents downstairs, but excitedly opening stockings together.