A thousand years ago ~ or so it seems ~ I was anticipating The Best Christmas Ever, the first one with our first-born daughter. Though she was only four months old, Christmas was magical again, something that was missing without children around.
I re-imagined Jesus as a swaddled, manger babe, angelic choruses and Bethlehem star, men wise and bearing gifts or shepherds humbled and astonished.
Intertwined with such romantic notions were Santa pics and miles of traveling, first to my in-laws for a night and then to my father's house for the same. I couldn't wait!
Days before we were set to travel, Rachel got a cold. I didn't think much of it–December is the Season for cold and flu, afterall–so we packed up our car and went over the river and through the woods to Noni's house.
Just like every other new parent, we quickly learned that a baby worsens as night unfolds, the darker the hour, the meaner the symptoms.
At bedtime, family scattered throughout my in-laws' home; Rachel's pack-&-play was set up in the dining room…where both of us would eventually spend the longest Christmas Eve of All Time. Me, trying to console (and keep quiet) a pitiful child, her, in obvious pain and distress, unable to breathe, sleep or settle down.
It was miserable.
The next day included a wonderful Christmas feast, presents to the overflow…and a three-hour drive to my father's house. I was the Grinch before his heart grew three sizes.
After another sleepless night, we realized we couldn't wait until we got home to see our pediatrician, so we set about to find one in my hometown. My childhood physician had long since retired, but we were able to locate a doctor willing to see us the day after Christmas. We would've paid anything to find relief for our baby girl (and we likely did).
Long story short, ear + upper respiratory infection = prescription + baby Tylenol. Bet most of y'all saw that coming.
Through all the inconvenience, frustration, and empathy for my sick baby girl, I learned something of value that first Christmas; something that would serve me throughout my children's infant-elementary years:
Always travel with my medicine cabinet in a Zip-loc bag.
What did I include?
- Age-appropriate Tylenol. Acetaminophen can be used for children as young as six months (maybe younger under a doctor's care) so that's why I chose it over Ibuprofen.
- Nasal aspirator (aka snot sucker). I always felt like I was sucking out their brains when we used it, but it was the lesser evil of a child who obviously needed help. This is probably when I discovered the truth of "This hurts me as much or more than it hurts you!"
- Medicine dropper. For littles, it's necessary (and the grandparents didn't keep one on hand).
- Age-appropriate decongestant. Funny, but I never stuck with one thing; whatever a doctor or friend referred.
and when they got a little older (two-ish),
- Vicks VapoRub. I was likely conditioned from childhood that Vicks VapoRub was a NECESSARY remedy for cold symptom relief; there is no other scent on the planet that better reminds me of TLC.
And I'm not alone in that; if you look at the Vicks VapoRub Facebook page (and I hope you'll LIKE it while you're there!!), fans frequently reference its feel-good scent and nostalgic appeal.
Which, in turn, makes me think about the scents of this season. My favorites? Freshly cut Christmas trees, soup simmering on stovetop, cookies fresh out of the oven and savory turkey and dressing. Mmmmmm, all!
Your turn: What are your favorite scents of the Season? The aroma that spells comfort, home, peace, holidays? DO chime in with what and why! For fun, I'll choose ONE commentor to receive their favorite DaySpring product, $50 or under.
UPDATED: Congratulations to Tiffany and Christina who will BOTH receive their DaySpring wishes!!
(From me, not sponsored by DaySpring. Click the DS Christmas logo in my right sidebar and let me know what you'd like if you win. Entry deadline for giveaway is 11:59 EST 12/30).
(Thanks to Vicks VapoRub for inviting me to share my thoughts through the Cough and Cold Season! I'm actually having a LOT of fun telling stories and sharing memories through their Winter blogging campaign!!)
I think cloves are the Christmas scent for me! That, or mint.
We always have fresh loaves of pumpkin bread for breakfast through the holidays. We always have a pumpkin pie or two to share. Both contain cloves. And ham, dotted with cloves? Makes my mouth water! Then, cloves are tucked away with the bread dough ornaments to keep the bugs out.
We also have a lot of mint. Mint m-&-m’s are a must during the Christmas season (we went through 3 bags in two days). And even if Santa doesn’t bring any other candy, he always leaves a candy cane or two in our stockings.
Cinnamon and citrus! I used to put a bit of water in a pot with some peeled clementines, a cinnamon stick and some cloves and just let it simmer. Mmmmmmmm…
Why didn’t I do that this year?
Mmm… gingerbread cookies and cinnamon candles. Hot Cocoa laced with peppermint schnapps… So many fresh, wonderful aromas of the season! 🙂 (Was I supposed to make a DaySpring wish right here? If I start perusing that catalog, I’ll get sucked in and my kids won’t see me all afternoon… ;))
Definitely a freshly cut tree, my mom’s hot fruit punch, hot chocolate, a roaring fire, and biscuits and milk gravy cooking up for breakfast!
Hi. My name is Michelle and I’m a Vicks VapoRub Huffer. 😉 That little stick that’s as big as a lip balm. yes. that’s the one. I’m addicted. totally and completely.
Otherwise my favorite scents are: fireplaces burning, oranges, peppermint, turkey and dressing in the oven, and whiskey (homemade Irish cream!) 🙂
Right after Christmas, 4 years ago, my oldest got RSV at 2 months old. It was horrible. 🙁 And I agree with you on Vicks Vapor rub! I love it! They have some now for babies over 6 months. I also use it on my two girls and have even been known to put it on their bed sheets.
My favorite Christmas scent is a toss up. Either pine needles (nothing smells so good as a Christmas tree) OR my mom’s homemade potpourri.
If it has cinnamon in it, I love it. YUM. xoxo
We’re still in the midst of creating our own family traditions, and I think this year having a fireplace for the first time solidified that a crackling fire burning in there is most definitely a Christmas reminder!
A medicine cabinet in your bag… brilliant! I love the scent of pine. Also the smell of my mom’s cooking! 🙂
Rachel S., Cloves…yes. THAT scent reminds me of the way my grandmother cooked ham; we don’t use cloves now, and she passed away before she taught me how she prepared ’em. And mint…fresh, always, a favorite scent for me, too.
Rae, IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Do it now! I’ve simmered little bundles of like items, too. And I haven’t yet this season, either. I’ve got company coming so maybe your comment is VERY timely :).
Jessie Leigh, ha! I get sucked in looking at DS stuff, too. 🙂 It’s hard to have a single favorite scent; so many remind us of good times, don’t they?
Jamie, you remind me we have yet to build a fire in our house (don’t ask…we DO have a fireplace). Yes, that’s a scent I’m missing big time all of a sudden :).
Michelle, your comment made me snort! Vicks VapoRub huffer! Hilarious. And what’s this Irish Cream whiskey of which you speak? I’m wildly curious….
Sarah, oh dear…that young with RSV? Makes me sad FOR you even though it was years ago. I didn’t realize Vicks had any product for children under two; hmmm, I should read the directions, huh?
Jessica, Cinnamon = Christmas. That’s new math, right? 🙂
Ari, a first-ever fire…that makes me happy FOR you :). Perfect time to begin your new tradition, with a new bebee in the house :).
Jennifer, maybe that’s why I LIKE the scent of Pine Sol, my favorite cleaning scent. I love to walk into my house after I’ve cleaned like crazy and smell it. I just wish it would last (and no, I’m not going to use it more often so it will!!).
Thanks all for chiming in…keep those smelly thoughts comin’!! <3
When I pass by the scent of pine cones with cinnamon sticks it’s like I have to track them down and pick one up and sniff deeper. I LOVE the smell!
I grew up with a fake tree so the tree thing never was really a thing in our house. BUT I married a man who thinks fake trees are the ultimate Christmas sin so since we have been married it is a real tree and I LOVE the smell. I also love that when you vacuum the scent gets stuck in the vacuum cleaner and your house continues to smell every time you clean.
Pine, baked apples, cinnamon. So many others that I can’t think of. Oh yes, totally agree about cloves too!
I was just thinking about smells last week on Christmas Eve. I made a brisket and it took me straight back to my grandparents’ house. Granny always made the best brisket, so smelling one immediately makes me think of her!
Speaking of Vicks for kiddos, SO many people have told me that putting it on little ones’ feet at night somehow helps with respiratory problems. I’ve never tried it, but it’s on my list of “things to try should the need arise.” (C’mon – don’t you have a list of parenting advice like that?) 🙂
Oh, yes – we were big Vicks fans as well. In fact, just thinking about it makes my nose clear right up. With five kids, we always have some on hand. 🙂
I love anything with cinnamon in it!
Christmas is prime time for clementines and I love that wonderful orange smell in the air and on my hands. I smell like them now!
I’ve got an 8-year-old with a cold now. We’re rubbing down her chest and back (and feet!) with Vicks at bedtime.
Sugar cookies baking, cinnamon, and warm cranberry punch that my coworker used to make. I miss it!
Cinnamon and cranberries. And coffee. Coffee reminds me of early sleepy mornings at my grandparents’ dairy farm. “7am and you’re just getting up?! The day’s half over!” my grandpa would exclaim every.single.time. 😉
Your first Christmas with Rachel sounds like our first Christmas with James and Ethan! Traveling with sick babies and their sleep deprived parents! It seems like just yesterday *and* 100 years ago instead of 12 years ago. {Sigh}
I love pine and the smell of hot cider brewing on the stove. Yum to-the meeee!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Robin!
I love the smell of a real Christmas tree. We haven’t had one since I was about 6 or 7 years old, so the smell really takes me back.
I also love the smell of candles, German Christmas dinner, and German Christmas cookies. I just got back from celebrating Christmas at my Oma’s house, and oh how I love the German traditions there. It brings me such delight to get to see my children enjoying some of the same sights, smells, and traditions in her home that I enjoyed as a little girl. My Oma is now 92, and the celebration with her earlier this evening was precious. I cherish these special moments.
For me, nothing smells Christmas like 2 cups of butter with a box of brown sugar in it, boiling to a hard crack stage so I can put it in a jellyroll pan and put hershey bars on top of it to melt and voila! toffee 🙂
Its my crack.
With divorce and moving a lot, my memories seem so fragmented. Living in Miami and having a fresh cut tree seems to be what I remember most at Christmas.
In trying to save money and be frugal in this down turn economy, my husband and I have often considered getting a fake tree each year. But the fun the kids take in picking it out, saving a ring off the bottom of the tree as an ornament (inscribing the year), cutting limbs for a table centerpiece, and the SMELL!!!! We just can’t seem to do it 😉 Would love to win!
PS And I would like to win the Hope and Encouragement cards. I have some friends that could really use the Hope and Encouragement 😉
My favorite smell is a warm fire (I suppose all fires are warm, come to think of it!). It’s such a snuggly smell!
http://www.dayspring.com/home_and_art/home_decor/blessings_of_god_dough_bowl/
I want! 🙂
I ordered several things from Dayspring for Christmas gifts…all hits!