On the Eleventh Day of a Feminine Christmas

This little girl reminds me how nice it feels to know you are about to have a long winter’s nap.

As a child, the nighttime sleep hours seemed to go by in a flash. As soon as I laid my head on my pillow and closed my eyes, morning came and I was wide awake. This phenomena, known as “Sleep State Misperception” often occurs on Christmas Eve in children who are overly-excited about waking up to presents on Christmas morning. Whatever it is called, it was a remarkable sensation that I wish would happen in my life more often now that I’m older.

There is a subtle beauty in a Christmas Eve bedtime routine. Like me, you may glance out the window to see the dark night, search for a bright star or survey neighborhood holiday lights. Christmas Eve is a lovely respite from all the tasks we women perform in the several weeks leading up to the day of merrymaking.

It is the one night I leave the tree lights on and perhaps one of my window candles as my personal nod to the nativity. To make sleep sweeter, I make sure the house is tidied up and treat myself to cocoa or another warm drink. If I’m not too tired, I will dip into a book of short Christmas stories or flick through one of my holiday decorating books. The lovely pictures soothe me and after all, the books will all be put away for another year very soon.

One Christmas Eve, I took all my Christmas cards to bed with me and lovingly revisited them. I studied the illustrations of each one and really read the messages inside. Of course, this only worked because I didn’t hang my cards around the doorway that year.

If your world is dry from the weather or heating, as mine is, take extra time with your caring hour. Lip balm has been my best friend this season and I plan to search for some pretty flavored ones in January. I’ve never been a lip-balm sort of woman until this winter with the cold and snow we are having. I have found a delightful new hand cream that I will share with you soon and that has made a big difference. The soft scent lulls me to sleep. Christmas Eve is not the night to abandon our beauty routines so hopefully, you also have a warm nightgown or pajamas in a festive color and have laid your robe across the foot of your bed.

I find the few quiet moments after guests have departed, the lights have been lowered, and soft Christmas carols are playing in the background is key to keeping the happy Christmas spirit going on our most hallowed night. To me, Christmas Day is the most joyous of celebrations and if we follow our small girl in the image above and give into our rest while still honoring the specialness of the holiday, our new day will be glorious.