Finding Peace Amid the Holiday Craziness Kyra Jacobs

Hello all, and Merry early Christmas! Liz graciously invited me to stop by during her Holiday Window Over the Sink feature and I’m so happy to be with you all today.

I actually wrote this post mid-month, while trying to stay ahead of the craziness that comes with the holiday season. Good craziness, of course. Though, there have been years when it certainly felt like I was drowning in activities.

Holiday concerts, holiday events. Holiday parties, shopping, baking, decorating, churching, more parties, more shopping…

Serenity now.

I think that’s why one of my favorite Christmas activities is gift wrapping. I know, I know, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Maybe it’s because I love to give, and this is all in preparation for the big reveal. Maybe it’s because it appeals to my love for fresh stationary, or my love for problem-solving (how DO I pull off wrapping this awkwardly shaped box?) The older I get, however, the more I simply enjoy gift wrapping nights for these quiet moments before the holiday storm.

And no matter if it’s for one gift or a dozen, I always look forward to Christmas wrapping nights.

Usually, I’ll find a safe place to spread out, away from the watchful eyes of family and pets. Next, I gather all my wrapping supplies—stored in totes and empty gift bags alike—and the gifts needing to be wrapped. Then I drop the Mannheim Steamroller “Christmas” CD (thank you, Mom!) into whatever device I can find in the house that still plays such things, roll up my sleeves, and get to work.

Only, it’s not work, not when you’re doing something you love. To me, there’s something almost magical about unwrapping a fresh roll of brightly colored paper, smoothing it out across the table/countertop/bed/floor/random flat surface—hey, I’m a mom; sometimes a good hiding place for wrapping presents requires some creativity—and then deciding on the best angle and approach for wrapping the gift before me. Paper is cut, folds and creases are made, and tape is applied sparingly. Some gifts get bows, which we recycle year after year; others just get name tags. All are wrapped with love.

Sadly, gift bags became the easy solution for gift-giving when our kids were little, which meant wrapping gifts in paper fell by the wayside for a time. While our sons are in their teens and twenties now, admittedly, we still do the “gift bag thing” for birthdays. But believe you me, once they were old enough to tear into wrapping paper on their own, I resumed my beloved wrapping tradition each and every Christmas.

Ah, wrapping… Sometimes there’s wine involved, sometimes not. Always, there’s music. (If the first CD ends before I’m done, no worries—I have MS’s “A Fresh Aire Christmas” on standby.)

 
And when the actual wrapping has ceased for the night, I go out into the living room, turn off all the lights except those on the Christmas tree, curl up on the couch, and listen to “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) from the first CD. I love to get lost in this song; to be still and reflect. To reminisce on the year behind me and put my faith and hope into the year ahead.

The final strains of the song sound like they’re being played on a toy piano, reminding me of the youthful joy that Christmas can bring. Woven amid those notes is the airy sound of a winter wind blowing, and whether we have snow on the ground or not, I picture snowflakes swirling across an open plain on a starlit night. And in that moment, I feel…

Peace.

A peace that I try to hold on to throughout the rest of the Christmas season. My calm before the storm.

This year, I have a few late deliveries left to wrap and I’m looking forward to one last gift-wrapping night. Because, after all, Christmas only comes once a year. I’ve got to savor these moments while I can.

Wishing you and yours much love, joy, and peace of this holiday season.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

XO,

Kyra

Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even paranormal/fantasy.

When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to bowl, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.

Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to see her complete book list, including her latest contemporary romance, ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS BEAUTY.

This Christmas will be one for the books if they can open their eyes to the possibilities…

Mia Brooks-French threw everything she had into her marriage…until she walked in on her husband and his assistant. Now she’s shifted her focus to being the best mom possible to her sixteen-year-old daughter, her classroom of third graders, and her family’s struggling bookstore. Even Christmas is shaping up to be a challenge this year.

Unfortunately, businessman and bestselling author Alex Wellingham didn’t get the memo. This Christmas, he’s decided it’s finally time to go after the girl he’d firmly locked away in his memories. But Mia isn’t ready to let college bygones be bygones or risk her heart a second time.

His surprise trip to Brooks Books in flames, Alex accepts help from Mia’s sister, Delaney. The duo concocts a tale guaranteed to buy Alex time with Mia and the bookstore a featured guest for an upcoming charity event. But when snowflakes begin to fly and the fibs snowball, can Alex and Mia wake up and decide if this second-chance romance is the real gift of the season?