The magic of Christmas: What is it? And how do you keep it alive?
I knew there was only one person I could talk to. Who better to answer all my Christmas queries than the man himself, Father Christmas?
I asked Santa how he keeps the magic of Christmas alive in his household.
His answer: Christmas carols, of course.
"We love to sing - we love to sing Christmas carols," Santa told Newshub.
And his favourite Christmas Carol: The Little Drummer Boy.
"Santa has many favourite Christmas carols, I couldn't really put my finger one at the moment. I certainly love the Little Drummer Boy," he said.
"And quite frankly Santa loves the odd bit of eggnog.
"I love singing Christmas carols and so does Mrs Claus as well, and we love opening presents. What could be a better present for Santa than that?"
When I was younger there a few special things that made the festive season feel extra special and somewhat magical.
Create a tradition
It doesn't have to be big, in fact, it can be quite little. We had a few traditions in my household, including buying a new Christmas tree decoration.
Each year my brother and I would look forward to seeing what new decoration we would put on the tree. Mum would buy us all a new decoration - one year it was New Zealand bird themed decorations and the next it was our name on a Christmas ball.
We also put little bells on the doors around the house so you can hear when people come in and out, something we still do to this day. It may sound a bit odd, but it's something we have always done and we know that when they come out it's a special Christmas tradition.
It can be anything, as long as it's something special and something you and your family or loved ones can do together each year.
Carols
Christmas Carols: You either love them or hate them. I love them; in fact, when I wrote this story in November I gathered inspiration by blasting a Christmas Bangers playlist.
But seriously, how can you not love a good carol? You can't help but get in the Christmas spirit when carols are playing - they make you want to get up and dance and sing.
You have your classics such as The Little Drummer Boy, O Holy Night, Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Jingle Bell Rock, Feliz Navidad, and All I Want for Christmas Is You.
And the list goes on, so in short, nothing reminds me more of Christmas than carols.
Cards
Christmas cards would be sent and delivered all throughout the lead up to Christmas.
A special written card to let people know you are thinking of them and filling them in on the latest news in your life was something I found extra special during the Christmas period.
However, Santa says the most important thing to keeping the magic of Christmas alive is connecting with family and friends.
"People need to be with their friends on Christmas - it doesn't matter if you haven't seen them in a long time or last week - make sure you make contact with those people.
"It's a special day and that day is Christmas and the magic of Christmas will be kept alive forever.
"A day with people like yourself and people all around the world keeping in touch - that's my advice to your family: keep in contact with friends."
Newshub.
