Simply having a wonderful Christmastime.

There are memories that stand out from many of my Christmases at my childhood home. (Not to be confused with my adult home... often I will say home with a particular inflection that designates if it's "home-home" or "home", but since this doesn't come with inflection, I will be specific.)
-Certain special Christmas decorations - this holly berry candle holder, and the Santa and Mrs. Claus candleholders that always were on the kitchen table.
-Decorating the tree - there was one old ornament of my mother's - it was blown clear glass with an angel in the middle. My dad always put the tree lights on first.
-The smell of celery and butter sauteing on Christmas eve as my mother made the stuffing.
-The smell of nisu - that cardamom scent - mmmm.
-The lights on the little Christmas tree that my grandparents would put on the roof outside of the kitchen window.... would light the way to the sauna.
-Playing "I spy" on my grandparents' Christmas tree - they had so many ornaments that it could last hours.
-Making Christmas cookies with my sisters.
-Hearing the rustle and bustle of many doors opening on Christmas eve after the kids went to bed and my parents were supposedly up just "getting ready for bed."
-Unable to sleep more than a few hours on Christmas eve because of the anticipation. One particular sister would have no problem sleeping in, and since we could not open stockings until everyone was up, it was particularly frustrating.
-Sitting in the rocking chair at night in the dark, listening to Mantovani, and enjoying the Christmas lights.

I love these memories. They've helped me continue to make every Christmas special in both old and new ways in my adult years.