Photograph Christmas

 

 It was all I wanted that year. I was in fifth grade and all I wanted for Christmas was this dress. A full-length, red velvet dress with lace on the collar and cuffs. My first extra-fancy dress. I can still remember telling Santa about it and my excitement as I opened the package from him and pulled out this amazing, cranberry velvet dress. The pictures my mother took perfectly captured my delight, excitement and thrill.

It wasn't until years later that I learned the idea of the dress was planted by my mother. She was quite financially strapped and couldn't afford to buy us the latest toys and gadgets, but she really wanted to make me a fancy Christmas dress. So, she carefully planted the suggestion and watched it grow. But I don't remember that part. All I remember was the magic of opening that present and getting something I really, really wanted. I still recount that story every time someone asks, "what's your favorite holiday memory?"

I'm sure we've all got holiday memories like that. Special, magical moments that stick in our brains - maybe not the absolute, unvarnished truth, but they're OUR truth from that moment in time. It's the same for our kids now. What moments will they remember 20, 30 years from now? What do we want them to remember? We all work so hard to create magic for our kids at this time of year, but do we really stop to notice the magic THEY see?

One thing that's always stuck in my craw at Christmas is the way parents stop their kids after they've opened a present and force them to hold the present up, slap on a smile and have a picture taken. After every. Single. Present. For some reason, the adults seem to think they have to capture these shots and then try to recreate the moment when they miss it. This does nothing but annoy everyone involved and destroy any magic or spontaneity. Plus, it gives you a camera full of pictures you'll never use. I can't tell you how many pictures I have of the same pose, the same shot, different present. I've never scrapped one of them.

Here are some ideas for creating memories that not only mean something to the people involved, but creating pictures you'll actually use!

• Take some shots of the pile of presents under the tree before present time occurs. Don't be afraid to get down on the ground to get some shots from the perspective of your little ones. How cool to see things the way they do!
• Set up your camera/tripod in the room before the kids get up on Christmas morning. (I've often made my husband keep them occupied for a few minutes while I do this) Capture some shots of their faces as they enter the room and see the presents or the tree or what Santa left. It's amazing.
• On Christmas Eve, or the night before your holiday celebration, turn off the lights in the room, illuminate the lights on the tree and take some shots of the tree. Or the stockings after they're filled. Some candles on a table. Cookies left for Santa. Be creative. Ask yourself what you want to remember from the holiday. Prepare yourself ahead of time so you're not running around at the last minute trying to snap pictures of things or, worse, trying to recreate spontaneous moments.
• When most people (other than kids) are asked what their favorite part of the holidays is, FOOD tops the list. Take some shots of traditional family dishes, or your finished holiday table, or your favorite holiday china. Figure out what's meaningful to you and capture it. Do you use your great-grandmother's candy dish every Christmas just like she did? Create that memory. Do you always make the stuffing just like your father taught you? Write it down. Have you created an amazing holiday table that makes you proud? Scrap it.
• Don't forget the after-party pictures. I call it "Post-Christmas Shrapnel". Get some shots of all the unwrapped presents, mounds of wrapping papers, bows in people's hair, kids playing with their new toys (candidly - don't make them pose!), a dinner table that's been heartily enjoyed, Uncle Albert snoozing on the sofa, the kitchen clean-up crew, cousins who only see each other once a year playing under the piano - whatever it is. It's all memorable.

Just remember, there is no RIGHT way to do any of this. Find meaning and create beauty in how your family does the holidays. Talk to your children before and after to find out what matters to them. What's their favorite part of it? Get them to tell you stories after the fact about what was magical, meaningful or fun for them. And plan ahead. Think about what you want to capture this year and plan for it. As you're sitting opening presents, maybe keep a little notebook next to you so you can write down the cool and hysterical things your kids say. But, most of all, be confident. Be confident in your ability to create and record the memories that mean the most to your family. For THAT, my friends, is where the beauty lies.

Have a blessed, merry Christmas!

Comments

[Venus]

LOL!! I am so busted! I am a poser after 2 or 3 presents!!