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Some of my favorite things about the Holiday season:

1. Drinking eggnog in front of the Christmas tree
2. Hot cocoa and cookies by the fireplace
3. Taking a drive ( or walk) around the city to look at all of the lighting displays
4. The smell of fresh pine from a newly cut Christmas tree
5. Being up to my elbows in cookie dough and fudge with a little helper next to me who happens to be wearing a chocolate mustache
6. That utterly peaceful moment on Christmas Eve when all of the stores have closed and the children have gone to bed and it’s just silence
7. Drinking my favorite Santa’s White Christmas coffee each morning by the light of the tree
8. Holiday music 24/7
9. The happiness and cheer that permeate our interactions. Christmas it seems is infectious.
10. The sight of a child sitting on Santa’s knee (better if he has a sticky lollipop.)

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When we look back on our fondest memories of Christmas past, it is probably not the perfectly trimmed tree and beautifully wrapped gifts that we most remember. It is rather those joyously happy, splendidly unplanned moments that were ripe with laughter (or tears,) family, friends and fun. It is the time spent helping others, connecting with those we love and embracing the good cheer of the festivities.

As the holiday season gets underway it’s so easy to get caught up in the crazed busyness of these coming weeks. Many of us have fallen victim to the pressures and pulls of the holiday chaos all around us, only to find that we have missed the entire meaning and joyousness of this special time. The gifts we cherish most are not the most expensive, but the most meaningful. The memories we hold dear are those filled with laughter and light.

Some suggestions to get the most out of your holiday season:

Create Traditions – Whether it’s caroling or making snowmen, crafting gingerbread houses or baking cookies, volunteering or reading as a family it becomes so much more special if you make it a tradition. It’s often the simple things that are the most fun. Ask your children or family what they enjoy. Some of my children’s favorite traditions: Christmas layer cookies and wassail while we decorate the tree, answering questions from “The Christmas Conversation Piece” book, watching The Polar Express and the Grinch as a family and opening one gift on Christmas Eve.

Schedule Down-Time – Be selective about which social and family invitations you accept. And don’t try to fit in too many family activities. Even well intended choices can become stressful if you don’t leave some time to unwind and just be together. I really cherish those evenings when we sit in front of the Christmas tree in our pajamas playing a game or watching Christmas movies.

Don’t Break the Bank – The biggest stress of the season can be the credit card bills that hit the mailbox in January. Don’t get tripped up by unrealistic spending. Make a budget that you can handle, save ahead of time if you can and don’t make the mistake of thinking more expensive is better.

Forget Martha – I am not Martha Stewart and neither are you. Forget about perfection. Forget about making 12 kinds of cookies, expecting your home to look like a magazine and finding the perfect present for everyone on your list. Reality check. Martha has an entire crew to help her create and those homes in magazines are staged by professionals. Oh and those people on television who are always so elated with their gifts…they’re actors…

Have Fun – Most importantly don’t forget to have fun! Throw snowballs, make a snowman, dance and sing to your holiday favorites or visit Santa. Do whatever brings you joy and makes you feel like a kid again.

Make this the best holiday season ever!

What do you enjoy? Care to share a holiday favorite?

Image by Rhett Sutphin via Flickr

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

On that one day each year when we remember to express our gratitude for those  that we are so blessed to have in our lives. Whether it’s an out loud declaration or a silent prayer, the effect is the same. It is an opportunity to reflect on the true gifts we have received; the gift of friendship, the gift of true love and companionship, the gift of family, the gift of devoted and loyal  adoration from our beloved pets, the gift of community, of possibility and hope, of joy and laughter, of simple pleasures that make us smile and sigh and say yes, it’s good to be alive.

I wish for you all the happiest of Thanksgivings and a bountiful life filled with many blessings.

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.