By Amanda Mills
While Christmas can be a little hectic, it always fills my heart with gratitude for the simple joys that make life meaningful. Maybe it’s the sparkle of lights downtown, the smell of cinnamon and cider in the air, or the quiet comfort of gathering with family. For me, it’s all of those things, and the reminder that even in the busiest season, there’s beauty in slowing down.
Every Christmas Eve, my family gathers at my parents’ house in our pajamas to bake candy and spend the evening together. It’s a tradition that has lasted as long as I can remember. Over the years, we’ve added a few new faces — my niece and nephew now sit on the counter, chocolate decorating their smiles and evidence of a few “taste tests” along the way — but the feeling is the same. My sister and I side by side with our mom in the kitchen, music playing softly in the background, laughter filling the air.
And right on schedule, at 7 p.m. sharp, the television comes on for the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story. That familiar movie becomes the soundtrack to our night as we open gifts, play games, take pictures, and soak in those few hours that always seem to fly by too quickly.
Traditions may stay the same, but the way we experience them has certainly evolved. Technology has made celebrating simpler, smoother, and sometimes even sweeter. Instead of flipping through old recipe books, we can now search for new recipes online or pull up YouTube tutorials that show us exactly how to make something. While we bake, our “Alexa” keeps the kitchen alive with Christmas classics, usually ending with someone asking for Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” as we turn the kitchen into a dance floor.
When DE Fastlink brought fiber internet to our area, it changed more than just how we connect; it changed the way we live. We were able to cut cable television and move to streaming, giving us access to endless free Christmas movies at our fingertips on demand while helping my parents save money each month. That’s been such a blessing, especially now that they’re entering retirement and watching every penny a little closer.
I’ll never forget the Christmas I gave them their first Alexa and showed them how to ask it questions about the weather, or how excited they were last year when I set up security cameras around their home so they could check on things with a tap of their phone. They’ve even installed smart plugs to turn their decorations on and off from the comfort of the couch — no more bundling up to unplug the lights outside late at night.
We even shop differently now. Instead of circling items in catalogs, we send links back and forth to gifts and wish lists, including ones from our favorite local shops that now have an online presence. It’s a nice blend of supporting our community while keeping holiday shopping simple and stress-free.
DE Fastlink has brought more than just internet access—it’s brought connection, convenience, and comfort into our daily lives. It’s helped keep my family connected not just to the world, but to each other.
For me, in a season filled with joy, family, and reflection, that connection feels like a little bit of Christmas magic all its own.