Tis the Season

I don't know about you, but I'm in full holiday shopping mode right now. This year we're being creative with holiday celebrations because family is now stretched across the country and with their schedules, we will have separate and multiple observances. I always loved Christmas Eve best - a special family dinner, the evening church service, coming home and opening a few gifts before sneaking upstairs to assemble the stockings to be opened in the morning. Yes, we've varied our routine over the years, like the one year my daughter decided to make 6 different types of margaritas and we didn't dare get behind the wheel, but I digress...

One tradition I held to was getting everyone at least one book for Christmas. It was something I always loved as a child - I think I treasured those even more than my first Barbie doll! The Last Little Cat by Meindert DeJong, The Canterbury Tales...these opened up worlds for me, made me laugh and cry as I was pulled into the stories. When my kids were little I bought a new Christmas book each year which we read on Christmas Eve. Last year I reinacted that tradition and bought picture books for everyone which we read out loud on Christmas Eve. It was fun, but I was also teased that I was starting a library for future grandchildren ;-)

So, if you see a middle-aged woman lovingly browsing the displays at Barnes & Noble, lost in memories and nostalgia, stop and say hello - and happy holidays!