The spirit of December VS Reality

My dear friend,

I want to share with you my December, my memories of it, and my current reality check. After all, today is Saint Nicholas Day and we have always celebrated it in my family.

Christmas in 1985 - us kids and dad, mom behind the camera. I am in my father's arms, a year and a half old.

Magical memories

I grew up in a lively, bustling household, the youngest of six siblings—two brothers and three sisters. Our home was always brimming with life, filled with the melodies of singing & screaming, laughter, and of course, the occasional fights among us children.

But when the holidays approached, especially Christmas, something truly magical would sweep through the house. It all began on December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day, when the first hint of Christmas magic would arrive. The warm, sweet aroma of cinnamon cookies, gingerbread, and tangerines filled the air. About a week before, we’d write letters to St. Nicholas, sharing our wishes and recounting how "diligent" we’d been all year. We then left the letters for Nicholas to pick them up - of course, it was the parents. But as a little girl, I believed, like many others, that Nicholas was some kind of mysterious saint from heaven who visits us all once a year. And the little devils always came along, as a warning that they would take us if we weren't good during the year. Quite an old way of bullying and upbringing, if you ask me. The old "good" Christian methods. Not at all.

Then, the big morning would come. We’d wake up early—far too early, really—our hearts racing with excitement. In the kitchen, the large dining table would be transformed into a treasure trove of gifts. Baskets filled with goodies and sweets waited for each of us. We’d rush down the stairs and the magic of discovery would fill the room. It was a morning like no other, shimmering with a magic that graced us only once a year. With six children, the gifts were once quite modest compared to today, but they had much greater value. Parents were always careful that no one got more than the others, and we children, when we wrote letters (although later we all knew that our parents were our Nicholas), were also attentive to our wishes. Fair play is very important in a large family. Each member is valuable, equal, unique and loved. In the days and weeks that followed, the enchantment lingered as we children sometimes gathered to play a game of tombola (kind of) with the sweets we had received. The entire month of December sparkled with this spirit—its sights, smells, and joy painting every corner of our lives in the vibrant colors of Advent (as we call the month of December).

Saint Nicholas visiting Rakitna at my grandmother's house, 1985.

Reality check

Well, that's how I fondly remember that time, but in reality there was also a lot of fighting and complaining, because there was a lot to clean up. We usually clean the house a little better for the holidays, and as a child, of course, that wasn't fun for me. Today, my December is a little different, maybe a little less magical, because I no longer see the world through the eyes of a child.

This December, fatigue caught up with me, and the weight of the past months hit hard. My body said, "Enough—rest." This year’s lesson for me has been communication. I poured months of energy and money into a project that failed because I didn’t speak up when it mattered. I didn’t realize sooner that working with a certain company wasn’t viable.

Miscommunication often leads to conflicts, especially during the holidays, when expectations run high. We exhaust ourselves trying to please everyone instead of setting priorities or saying no. All we truly want is a peaceful celebration with loved ones.

So, I’ve made a promise to myself: to be more in tune with my feelings, more confident in my opinions, and to express them clearly and calmly. It’s a challenging goal, but this year has shown me how vital it is.

I’m giving myself the gifts of peace, clarity, and the courage to stay true to who I am. It feels like the most meaningful gift I can offer myself. What about you? What gift will you choose to give yourself this year?

My gift to you

Today I also know that gifts cannot conjure up the love and magic that I remember so fondly today. I always felt loved at home, it was my refuge, where I was and still am always welcome. I know that many do not have this, cannot afford gifts, but sometimes the greatest gift can be a word of encouragement, a smile or a warm hug. The real secret of Christmas is in the little things - giving a gift to someone out of love, without expecting anything in return.

It’s this same sense of wonder and delight that I hope to bring to you. I’ve prepared special gifts in the form of Fine Art prints, postcard sets, and even original works of art—all created with the wish to spark joy and magic in your home.

Let’s make this season truly unforgettable!