Have a Holly Jolly…Whatever

The holiday season is here.  Not fast approaching.  Not on its way. Brace yourself, it has arrived.  Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza or Festivus, this time of year becomes a hectic mesh of holiday gatherings with family, friends and co-workers.  For all the frivolity, to be honest, it stresses me out.  All the cooking, baking, gift buying, wrapping, parties…when are you supposed to get a chance to relax and actually enjoy it?

My favorite part of the season is the decorating bit.  Not necessarily because it puts me in a celebratory frame of mind, but because my decorations are filled with memories.  Places I’ve been, people I love, and even mistakes I’ve made, are all hung on an evergreen with warm lights, twinkling in the dark. Here are a few of my favorite memories from my parents tree.

Christmas Tree!

Goebel Rocking Horse

Great Grandma Kanelakos’s red ornament & Mom’s childhood elf

Sydney’s Pink Flamingo

Christmas Mantel

German Drummer Boy

Melissa’s Squirrel in Teapot

I hope you enjoy them.

‘Til next time,

Jessica