With Halloween in the rearview mirror, some of the most beloved holidays of the year are staring us all in the face: Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukah, and New Year’s Eve.
Most would agree that Christmas and Valentine’s Day are more romantic than, say, Easter. Other holidays, like Halloween and New Year’s, are just plain fun. And then we have the family-oriented, cozy celebrations, like Thanksgiving. I’ve found my preference for particular holidays has changed with age (like so many other things in my life).
As a young kid, I preferred Easter to all others, mostly because of my insatiable sweet tooth. As a teen and young adult, Halloween became a favorite. Who didn’t love transforming into something or someone different for a night and going to a party?
My freehand attempt at The Grinch
Surprisingly, Christmas has never been at the top of my list. First of all, it’s become so overly commercialized, it is disgusting. Secondly, I’m not a shopper, so I don’t spend much time in stores or online retail outlets. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I guess I’ve turned into the Grinch.
All of this leads me to my “grown-up” favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. It’s always at my mom’s house. A giant gathering of extended family, and sometimes even some friends. It’s loud, there’s an endless supply of comfort food—mom’s home cookin’—and a lot of love. Clean-up? Well, that stinks, but you know the saying about no free lunch. Even with ten tons of pots to scrub, I’ll still vote Thanksgiving as tops on my list.
The grown-up table at my mom’s house.
How about you? Which holiday do you love best, and why?
XO-Jamie
