After weeks of shopping, wrapping, preparation, and anticipation, Christmas is finally here. Jen and I are spending time with each of our families and enjoying much-needed R&R around beautiful Christmas trees and festively decorated dinner tables. Here is a peek at our holiday surroundings.

I grew up taking ballet, and so I was in The Nutcracker a number of times and watched many performances by different companies. After vowing to take a break from watching any variations of the ballet after 2011, I watched my niece in her first Nutcracker last weekend. Seeing the girls on stage with so much excitement for performing and for the holidays, the magic returned and I became nostalgic for what this time of year really means for most of us: tradition.

My family celebrates on Christmas Eve with a big family party that has evolved over the years. When we were younger, my sisters and I were constantly called on to provide entertainment via some kind of performance (ballet, tap, a song in sign language, etc.). Years ago White Elephant—one round for the kids and one for the adults—was central to the celebration. For the last few years, we held an annual gingerbread house contest with different themes. This year, with everyone “of age” (somewhere in the world), we did a wine tasting and chose our favorite variety for a prize.

Because of our Eve tradition, Christmas Day is usually a mellow one spent with our immediate family. As you read this, I will likely be gazing at the lights twinkling on our family room Christmas tree (we have one in every room), sipping hot tea, and watching movies on the couch with my sisters… or getting closer to my reading goal for the year.

How are you spending your day?

xo C

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