“Fa la la la la la la la la, ’tis the season to be jolly.” I don’t know about you, but that’s literally what has been playing in my mind for the past week. I’m so excited for Christmas and New Year’s that I cannot contain myself. I’ve been baking nonstop, and my kitchen is a complete mess. 

But let’s put a pin on the baking catastrophes and talk about the actual, and sometimes invisible, impact that the holidays have on us and our families. 

The effect that the holidays have on our families is a much greater effect than presents we might receive or annual Christmas card pictures we might mail out. 

The holidays bring families closer together and are a time when family issues are put on hold. Whether it be family traditions or reunions, it’s undeniable that it unites families and gives everyone a chance to see each other and celebrate a new year soon beginning.  

In my family, one of our big traditions is on Christmas evening we go around saying one thing that we enjoyed the most throughout the day and one thing we enjoyed the most throughout the year. This simple tradition has brought my family closer on many different levels. I think that the littlest things are sometimes the most important.

So whether it’s wearing matching ugly Christmas sweaters or making hot cocoa with your younger brother, be sure to take advantage of the time spent with your family this year, as it’s been one heck of a year!

I hope everyone has a fun, safe, and relaxing break. Happy holidays and New Years, I’ll see you guys in 2021.