From the lights to the carols to the cooler weather, I love every bit of the Christmas season; however, one of the things I love best about it is the time spent with family. Over the years, Chad & I have made our own traditions so that my nephews could participate & know that our traditions will occur every year without fail. During their younger years, it was sometimes a struggle to get them excited about Aunt Rachel’s Thanksgiving & Christmas events, but now that they are older, it’s beautiful to see that those traditions mean a lot to them. For example, we must drive around and look at Christmas lights, and they can’t have their phones out. It usually takes a few stern reprimands before they get in line, but by the end of the night, they are oooh-in and ahh-ing along with the adults.

Another example is that every year we buy a special ornament for each boy (and now Teagan as well) to remember an important event or milestone from the year. When we put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving, the kids are given their new ornament to add to the tree. Watching them take out past years’ ornaments & reminiscing about the memories associated with them fills my heart with joy.

Whatever the tradition, whether old or relatively new, I pray that it brings you joy and lovely memories with those you love. Wishing my Christian friends a Merry Christmas, my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah, and everyone else a Happy Holidays! May you all be blessed with happiness & good health in 2023!

Love, Rachel