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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?

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Wisdom

Today would have been my father’s birthday. It is on days like these when we reflect on those we have loved and lost. And perhaps wished we had listened to a bit more often. Our relationship was often complicated, but valuable, as I think are most of our relationships with our parents.

As I think back on the many things I learned, I have unearthed some pearls of wisdom to share:

• Be responsible – Say what you mean and do what you say; if you make a promise, keep it; if you start something finish it.
• Always do your best – Anything worth doing is worth doing right, work hard and take pride in your accomplishments.
• You are your best judge – Don’t worry so much about what other people think of you; do what you think is right, live how you want – never mind keeping up with the Joneses.
• Family first – Your spouse and children are always your top priority; not work (although you must provide for them), not friends or relatives. The rest of the world matters, but is a distant second to family.
• Don’t waste time – Time is precious and too brief; work efficiently and take time for fun; talk with your loved ones, play with your grandkids, have coffee with friends, enjoy your pets and take pleasure in nature whenever possible.

Do you have an lessons you’d like to share? What did you learn from your parents that has been valuable advice?

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.