Beautifully done essay, even though bittersweet. I believe Christmas magic is all in our attitude. I have 12 grandkids, many of them teenagers or older now, so I started wrapping randon stuff last year that I had accumulated. Each person around our tree, which is quite a few people, picks a gift. If they don't like it they can exhcange with someone else who is willing to exchange. If no one wants to exchange and they are stuck, I tell them to regift it at some point, or suck it up and think of all they've got.

There's everything from toys to candy to heirlooms. They had so much fun, I'm doing it again this year.

For me the magic is still there, because Christmas music still brings tears and memories. Merry Christmas to you, David Todd McCarty!