Homesick for the Holidays: Celebrating My First Christmas Away from Home
On Christmas Eve, I stood in my tiny galley kitchen melting butter and marshmallows to make Christmas wreaths, the sticky, Rice-Krispie treat that had been…
Christmas
How Learning to Let Go of Expectations Made My Holidays Better
I am the queen of holiday dreams, plans and expectations. As soon as Christmas decor starts filling my local Target, I start having visions of…
A Lesson in Waiting
Never buy a caramel macchiato. It’s just an upside down vanilla latte — instead of first into the cup, the espresso goes in last on…
5 Tips for Making the Holidays Special While Socially Distant
Dealing with the stressors of pandemic life has been a struggle for Americans coast-to-coast. I personally have been out of touch with family, friends, and…
Christmas 2020: How to Maintain Holiday Cheer in a Strange Year
If you had asked me when I was a kid how I foresaw spending Christmas 2020, I might have told you I’d be baking a…
The 7 Best Christmas Movies For Your Holiday Watch List
Even though my days of tearing open presents at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning are long over (we wait until the respectable 9…
The Sounds of Advent: Music to Contemplate the Season
For many of us, the traditional holiday trappings, Christmas parties, and family gatherings won’t happen this year. My wife and I have thrown an annual…
Planning for the Holiday Season After a Loss
After my brother passed away last fall, celebrating the upcoming holidays was the last thing on our minds. I don’t remember exactly what we did…
5 Habits for the Holiday Season
Living in the Midwest, I’ve already seen the first snowfall of the season. There’s a nip in the air ushering in the twilight days of…
How to Get Into the Holiday Spirit When You’re Having a Rough Time
The holiday season is traditionally a time for joy and celebration. Family and friends gather together. Homes are decorated, parties are planned, and gifts are…