Holiday Cheer

Cheers!

Cheers!

More Cheer and Less Fuss

It’s time to turn up the holiday festivity.  I love this time of the year.  The holidays are fast approaching.  I am no longer lamenting over the end of summer.  Sniff.  I am past the awkward phase of the beginning of fall and daylights saving time.  I have officially settled into the routine of Fall.  Last weekend, my girls felt the warm sun on the windows and wanted to follow it outdoors.  I told them it was literally freezing out.  They went outside, played and marveled at all the ice and the shapes it took on in our garden.  They were so excited and joyful.

Days Still Have 24 hours

There are fewer daylight hours and the dark nights are crisp, yet there are so many things to enjoy about this time of year.  I have a fondness for coats and boots.  Perhaps that is the Central New York (CNY) in me.  I love snuggling in warm blankets and reading books or watching a movie with warm cup of anything in my hands.  Walks with colorful leaves strew about is a must.

Seasonal Magic

I best appreciate things visually and this time of year is filled with treats for the eyes.  The color changing of the leaves and the threat of possible snow.  Holiday lights!  Still, there are many things to please all of the senses no matter where you are.  Long festive or sparkly socks are on my list of favorites.  I love decorating for Christmas.  I love the smells of the holiday.  I gravitate toward garlic, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and cloves.  I truly enjoy the eats that are holiday specific.  Endless loops of Christmas Music are so necessary.  Every song is my favorite song.  Getting dressed up for holiday parties is part of the fun.  

Holiday Overload

Last year I had this sign waiting for by nieces, nephews and family when they arrived at my house for Christmas Eve Dinner.  A little Christmas fun.

Last year I had this sign waiting for by nieces, nephews and family when they arrived at my house for Christmas Eve Dinner.  A little Christmas fun.

But there is some level of angst that comes with the holidays.  There is so much that goes into the plans and preparation that stress can creep in.  I am betting that burnt turkeys and dropped turkey are top of the blunder list.  Long car rides, mismatched expectations, awkward reunions, assumptions, and missed loved ones add to the complexity.  We don’t all celebrate the holiday in the same way.  In fact, we don’t all celebrate the same holiday.  Traditions and sentiments are in delicate balance.

The Thing is 

Regardless, of what holiday you celebrate or what the spread looks like- it all goes by fast.  Really fast.  Take the time to slow down and appreciate the things that make this time of the year special to you and find ways to be grateful.

What are some of your favorite parts of this season?