Day 24 - Cookies Milk Santa Watercolor - Doodlewash
By Charlie

A Very Merry Christmas Eve

Written by Charlie O'Shields

After a month of waiting, tonight is finally Christmas Eve, my favorite night of the year! Yes, certainly the presents are a feature of the evening, but the food is what I’m actually most excited to enjoy. Philippe and I worked on a puzzle for a bit today and had some eggnog while Phineas was curled up on his holiday blanket and snoring on the couch. We didn’t have any cookies made this year, so I painted a quick little imagined gift for Santa, who will be filling our stockings tomorrow morning. And, imagining Santa eating cookies at houses around the world actually makes me feel better that my own impending gluttony will still pale by comparison. There’s holiday music playing in the background as I type this, completing the mood and making my heart smile. It’s hard to believe that after tomorrow morning it will all be over, so I’m savoring each little moment as it passes. Since it’s such an exciting occasion, today is also perhaps the longest day of the year. It seems like time slows to a crawl as the seconds tick forward toward the evening. The best things in life are always the ones worth waiting to experience.

I’m writing this a bit earlier in the day so I can be well and truly finished by dinner. Philippe is currently creating our Bûche de Noël, which will be the final celebratory conclusion of the event much later this evening. And yes, for anyone following along, I’ve already scanned my gifts to see if any might be in the shape of a lava lamp. I realize this is perfectly childish, but as ever, I make no apologies for my childish ways. One gift looks promising, but I wouldn’t put it past Philippe to cleverly disguise the box. I’ve done the same with a couple of his gifts, so fair is fair, after all. In truth, I’m mostly excited to give gifts as that’s such a fun experience. I’ve no idea if I’ve gotten all the right things this year, but there will still be lots of fun surprises ahead. There will also be champagne to kick things off and a glass of wine when dinner arrives. And though love is certainly present in our home throughout the year, tonight it will glow even brighter than ever. With each little moment of our annual tradition, we’ll be reminded that we really do have a wonderful little life.

I love to live inside the magical world of a snow globe this time of year. The kind far away from the silly stresses of everyday life and safely hidden from the day’s horrid headlines. In this world, everything glows with beauty and optimism. And it’s a feeling I try to hold with me throughout the year. Every day can’t be this magical, of course, or we’d never be able to spot the special ones. But, whenever I feel a bit down during the rest of the year, I close my eyes and think back to this very moment. Life can be a struggle at times, but there’s so much good to be found there. And, my long list of dreams that I failed to accomplish this year will be eagerly waiting for me in the next one. Tonight, I’m simply filled with hope. For each thing that didn’t happen, something wonderful managed to appear in its place. So, I’m quite thankful for everything, but mostly just that fabulous ability to dream in the first place. And if you’re reading this now, I’m raising my glass in a toast to you and your dreams. May each and every one of them come true on this very merry Christmas Eve.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Aureolin, Leaf Green, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta, Indigo, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop!
 Day 24 - Cookies Milk Santa Watercolor - Sketchbook Detail - Doodlewash

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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26 thoughts on “A Very Merry Christmas Eve”

  1. Merry Christmas, Charlie! I’ve been scanning my prezzies too. Pretty sure I got a lamp or two – not lava, but ones I can use for making videos during the gloom of winter light. And I know that’s going to be my metaphor for the New Year. Even when there is gloom, there is light if we’ll only look for ways to make it so.

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  2. Charlie,

    to quote you:

    ” I’m raising my glass in a toast to you and your dreams. May each and every one of them come true on this very merry Christmas Eve.”

    right back at you!
    You and Philippe and Phineas are very blessed. May your stockings be filled with all joy
    and not a single lump of coal forever and ever, Merry Christmas Eve!

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  3. Time moves slowly when you’re waiting for Santa, and worse, he never comes while you’re awake! I remember that very clearly from childhood. Merry Christmas to you and your family on this most magical of nights!

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    1. Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… my sister-in-law in Paris reminded me of that fact while we were texting last night when I went to bed. It after midnight so it was Christmas in both places! I quickly went to sleep, of course! And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend! ❤️

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  5. Merry Christmas! Santa Joe gave me a little camcorder this year. After watching a Brit box documentary of a guy who only filmed stuff that went on within walking distance of his front gate, I thought I would like to try it. Time will tell if I’m able to hold still enough to do it.

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  8. Merry Christmas, Charlie! Seeing your lovely water doodles every day always feels a bit like Christmas to me and I want to thank you for it and all the inspiration you bring! Happy Holidays! 😀 <3

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