Another holiday season has begun and as usual I’m excited about all the lights and decorations and opportunities to celebrate not only with family and friends, but also to celebrate with the rest of the world that we’ve reached this point in the year. I do enjoy seeing the homes that have been decorated to the nth, but I also love seeing just the candles lit in the windows and the tree or menorah alongside. I love the big meals and I love picking a cookie out of a tin to enjoy with my usual beverages. I love checking out new holiday-themed movies and watching classics I’ve seen many times.
What I appreciate most about the lights, the gift giving, the celebrations, and the decorations is how they’re all about sharing and connecting. We do all these things to celebrate, yes, but they’re really our ways of sharing the joy we have for the season with others. How we celebrate and connect makes this time of year so treasured for so many of us because of how intimate it is. The other day my partner and I were sharing a little piece of chocolate cake and both of us remarked how nice it was to just be there with each other sharing the cake. There was no big production, no dressing up, no traveling to a destination, no big expenses, just us and a little piece of chocolate cake.
I’m thankful that this year many of us will be able to share and experience the holiday season as we have in past years with family and friends, through bigger gatherings and celebrations, and with a little more hope and peace about what the future holds. But I also think it’s important to not neglect the little things, including simple opportunities to be found this time of year like sitting with a hot beverage and a book, or just snuggling with our partner or (a) kid looking at the Christmas tree or warm fire.
This holiday season I think it’s a great year to focus on the heart and connection of the season, and really treasure the opportunities that you have to connect with those you love and enjoy spending time with. What memories will you make together with those you love this holiday season?