Making Magical Memories at Christmastime

Creating magical memories at Christmas takes a lot of planning and preparation but it is well worth the effort!!
Almost 30 years ago, our family began a tradition with our 4 daughters. This year we passed that tradition on to the next generation and it was beyond magical. American Girl dolls were the first dolls our girls actually loved and played with regularly. In general they were not that interested in dolls but these dolls were different. They were well made, a high quality product with purpose behind the concept and each one had a story to tell.
A bit of interesting history behind the dolls….
“Pleasant Rowland, (a very inspirational woman) takes a trip to Colonial Williamsburg in the mid-1980s. She is inspired by the “living history” of the setting. Later, seeking dolls as a gift, she sees that there are very few dolls marketed as companions to a girl or focusing on girlhood.
In 1986, The American Girl line launches with three Historical Characters: Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington, and Molly McIntire. Each doll is launched with the first three books in her seriesand the clothing and accessories that accompany the stories, as well as their trunks. Felicity Merriman is released Fall 1991 with her first three books and accompanying clothing and accessories.” The year these dolls were introduced our girls were 5, 3 and newborn with our baby coming 3 years later. So in the early 1990s when we made the decision to invest in the dolls there was one perfect doll match per daughter. Kirsten, Molly, Samantha and Felicity became part of our family and the magic of creative imaginative play with the American Girl doll began.
In 1993 our youngest two daughters were treated to an exclusive event put on by the Chicago American Girl doll store. It was an incredible experience for them at ages 5 and 8. One they have never forgotten. So this Christmas, 23 years later, our older two daughters experienced their first American Girl doll event. This is the year they passed down their very own dolls-Molly and Kirsten-to their daughters and we attended a magical morning of fun and make believe. Two of the girls received new dolls chosen especially for them based on their personality and coloring.
Everything about the morning sparkled!!! A group of costumed young people entertained us with Christmas carols as we enjoyed a delicious breakfast with each of my granddaughters (those that were old enough to attend) in the American Girl Cafe. We took pictures with Santa and then shopped in the store. No one wanted the morning to end. We all decided this is an event we would love to do every year!!! And of course we would include all the other granddaughters in years to come.
To make sure the grandsons did not feel totally left out of a magical moment this Christmas, we rode a Christmas train today. This boy event was just as magical for them!!! With trains, fun tractors and hay bales to climb on and mazes to run through, they had fun making their own memories!!!
Christmas memories help children experience love, joy, hope and peace.
As adults, part of the magic of Christmas is experiencing the reality of Emmanuel-God with us. When we spend quality time with our children and grandchildren we demonstrate Emmanuel, God with us. Creating these magical memories provides a tangible experience of love, security and significance that their little hearts can understand.

what fun activities do you like to do to make magical memories?