Category: Uncategorized

   This year I’m reading so many blog posts, FB posts and articles that indicate  many people feel the holiday season is one big colossal stress inducing hassle.  A frequent complaint is  – having a hard time getting into the spirit of things.  Ah, the key right there… It’s the SPIRIT OF THINGS that should be foremost in our hearts and minds, not the spending of money we may not have, the headache of planning around difficult family issues and logistics, the stress of trying to get it all done.  Commercialism puts a damper on the whole thing, too.

     There are ways to simplify- If  the annual big family gathering and meal at your house has you spinning out of control, make it a potluck – the menu is varied and interesting, no one is responsible for an entire meal, and everyone feels like they’ve contributed, bringing their one prized dish to share. Or, scale down the crowd… invite  just a handful of family or friends and relax. 

    Regarding gift giving, a small thoughtful gift holds just as much meaning, if not more, than a more elaborate and expensive item you could buy at a store.   Have you taken a photo that a particular person would cherish?  Frame it and wrap it.  They’ll cherish it always and it doesn’t break the bank.  Are you a baker?  Make a batch of that favorite cookie Aunt Margaret used to have at the holiday table, tie the recipe onto the bow. Awesome for family recipes handed down to other family members.  If only my grandmother were still alive, I’d ask her for that unbelievably delicious cream puff popover recipe. I’ve never had them so good since.

    Missing a loved one who is now departed?  Volunteer for an organization you know they would approve of, or make a donation of any size in their name.  It’s a way of honoring them that you can feel good about and you are contributing to the world in a positive way. That always feels good.

  No time for all this nonsense?  Then cut yourself some slack and just let it be.  There are many little things you can do to find the “Spirit of the holidays”… Take a walk through a “Christmas lit” neighborhood on a snowy night- hear the silence and the sound your footsteps make in the snow. On Christmas Eve, imagine all the excitement the children feel as they drift off to sleep,  one eye open should they hear the sound of hoofbeats on the roof.   Don’t be so hurried that you can’t smile at the checkout clerk at the grocery store and wish him/her a happy holiday.  Do the same to anyone you lock eyes with  as you walk out to your car.  It’s amazing, what a small and brief encounter like this can do for the soul.

   I don’t talk about religion here, only  because I’m not religious in an organized or specific sense of the word, although I was raised a Catholic.  I do believe I’m a spiritual person, and some say that’s a cop out.  I find my religion in being kind whenever possible and helping out where I can in different ways. Being a part of solutions, instead of adding to problems.  I’ve asked myself frequently… do I add to this world in any way to make it a better place, or am I always taking?  The holidays bring this reflection into sharper focus for me and right now I’m pleased with my progress.   That, I’m finding, is a gift.

  Speaking of gifts, my friend Tim has given me a detailed description of his mother Loraine’s Sand Tart Christmas Cookie recipe.  He gave our family a sampling of them last year and words fail me in describing just how buttery-sugary-mouthwatering delicious these cookies are.  I’d never heard of sand tarts until that sampling of his family tradition cookies, I’ll let you know how they turn out under Tim’s carefully guided directions.  This recipe is a gift I will always treasure –

                                             This ceramic basket was made by my Aunt V…