"It's the most wonderful time of year!"

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”! That’s how the Christmas song goes and I would have to agree...

For me, the season starts to take shape the moment I pull out my Christmas tree and my extensive collection of holiday ornaments and decorations collected over the years. In the past, I’ve always put on holiday music to set the mood of the season. There’s just something about hearing Donny Hathaway’s, “This Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” that marks it’s officially that time of the year!

While I currently have an artificial Christmas tree, I grew up always having a real tree, which has allowed me to appreciate that fresh smell of pine associated with the holiday season. It’s moments like those, that when I get a big whiff of that signature pine, that makes me return to the thought of maybe one day getting a live tree again. I’m also a bit partial to putting up white Christmas lights and being that I don’t have a fireplace, you can find beautiful stockings placed strategically throughout my home. My children are young adults now, but when I bring out pictures of them from holidays in the past, it is sure to bring a smile to their face, and mine as well. Within these photos, we’re reminded of cherished memories that include homemade cookies and hot chocolate, watching “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and those drives throughout our neighborhood admiring our neighbors’ beautiful holiday light decorations – with every year getting more and more elaborate.

What will always be one of my favorite holiday pastimes is ice skating. Over time, I’ve become not as steady on the skates as I used to be, but it is still so much fun, and I even get one or two good laughs from it. Normally during this time of the year, I also get to catch up on my favorite TV shows I’ve missed OnDemand and, of course, catch any of the year’s holiday movies. I’m such a sucker for a good Lifetime or Hallmark channel holiday movie.

In the era of online shopping and quick Amazon shipping, I still appreciate the good, old-fashioned Christmas shopping the traditional way. I continue to make my Christmas gift giving list and off to my favorite stores I go! In addition to getting gifts for my dear family and friends, I also adopt an angel, or two, in order to make a child or family’s Christmas just a little brighter. While I give to various charities throughout the year, something about giving during the holiday season helps me to remember just how blessed I am.

I’m blessed with wonderful children, family, and friends and am thankful for good health, a successful business and, most importantly, for the true reason for the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!