Editorially Yours


Michele

Michele Pesula Kuegler is the founder of PeKu Publications and chief foodie at Think Tasty. She runs this one-woman show focusing on creating new recipes to delight her family, friends, and herself.


Celebrate the Season

by Michele Pesula Kuegler on December 21st, 2011

Although it has felt like the holiday season since the day after Thanksgiving (at least for me), the season truly is upon us.  Hanukkah begins tonight, and Christmas is only four days away.  Last minute shopping, baking, and wrapping have taken many homes by storm.

At our house, we have had our own share of last minute preparations.  While I expected the previously noted shopping, baking, and wrapping, I did not expect to be un-decorating one tree and replacing it with another.  But I did.  We had had our tree gracing our living room for two weeks, during which we watered it daily.  However, every morning I would notice that the branches kept inching downward, akin to an umbrella that was closing.  At the end of its two week stay, my husband and I decided that our once beautiful tree was now an unattractive and potentially dangerous decoration.

While I love the lights and beauty of a Christmas tree, the work of stringing lights and placing ornaments for a second time was less than appealing.  However, we needed a tree to hold some lights and to be the center of our gifts.  The solution came in the form of a planted Norfolk pine.  While its branches are much smaller, it nicely holds one strand of lights and fits perfectly atop a table.  With its tree skirt draping below it, the tree perches above the presents.

In some ways I think our new tree is a great symbol for what I try to teach my children about Christmas.  It doesn’t need to be the biggest or best, it just needs to make you feel good.  A pair of fuzzy socks that keep you warm on a winter night can make someone’s day more than a $100 gift card, simply because you thought about what that person enjoys.

Our family publication, Your Parenting Info, has some great articles about ways to keep the holiday season in perspective:

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, be sure to take time and just enjoy the beauty of the season.


Michele



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