As my husband and I were throwing the football up into the tree yesterday, casting up the fishing line that would pull up the rope that would pull up the string of lights, it hit me that Christmas isn’t just for the kids anymore. It’s for me, and for my husband and me as a team. These signs of the holiday—the decorated tree, the wreath, the outside lights—they make it feel “right,” like we’ve pulled off a magic trick, and I’m half surprised that it works on me. I see… Continue reading →

When in doubt, neglect something. That’s my go-to strategy for dealing with holiday prep. Not “start early” or “simplify.” Those boats have sailed, my friend. I say, embrace the chaos. Accept that if you go upstairs to change over the laundry, on the way you’ll see the ornament boxes that need to go to the attic, and once you’re in the attic, you’ll find the pile of old games you intended to donate away, so they’ll come back down with you to land by the kitchen door, beside the bin… Continue reading →