It is a good tradition to give gifts to children every day before Christmas. I read your post right after listening to an audio story by Irving Shaw (eyes rested for 40 minutes in the dark). The story was sad, reminded me that childhood is a happy time.
I don't know Irving Shaw, but I assume that a little reminiscing can help revive - a little like meditation.
It may be like meditation. I plunge into a new story, I notice small details of that time, new thoughts appear. Each step we take determines the next steps.