Tis The Season

So, Thanksgiving has come and gone.  The holiday season is here in full force.  Mother nature has seemed to take her cue, as it is cold and damp today.  As I sit here at the computer, I am feeling the need to think about our traditions.  What they are now and how they have changed and will continue to change in the future.  When Eric and I were first starting to celebrate holidays together, we ended up going to three or four houses on Thanksgiving Day.  Needless to say, it was all a little much for our four smallish children and us.

It was more stressful than relaxing and we decided something needed to change.  Hence, our Thanksgiving tradition was born.  We now stay home on Thanksgiving Day.  We cook a meal with all the trimmings and keep it very informal.  We have family that wants to come over, come over, and those who don't, don't need to think they are snubbing us.  It became clear early on that the Putnam family is a force in and of itself.  With six children of varying ages, it can be difficult to get anywhere, much less three different places all in one day.  This took that pressure off.  

However, this year, we decided that things were starting to become too stressful again.  We decided to make this Thanksgiving as stress free as possible.  We didn't make any super fancy dishes and my house was not immaculate, but I wanted this years' Thanksgiving to be about spending time with family.  I must say that this was a completely enjoyable day and much less stressful.

Another part of our Thanksgiving Day tradition is to sit around the table after dinner and plan out our shopping adventure for Black Friday.  Yes, it's true.  I am one of those crazy people that get up super early in search of good deals.  However, for me it is more of a social outing, versus a mission for me.  This year wasn't impressive, between feeling slightly sick and just not enjoying the sales starting at midnight; it didn't hold the same appeal. Just one more thing to plan for next year when we are sitting around the table after dinner.

The final Thanksgiving weekend tradition is heading out to East Troy Friday afternoon for our annual cookie decorating at Aunt Dee Dee's house.  Every year, we get together and decorate sugar cookies.  It is for the kids, or so we say, but every year it is the adults that are the ones left around the table after the "fun" has worn off.  But, I must say, it is one of those things I look forward to every year.  The cookies aren’t professional looking, and in some cases, are down right ugly, but there are always plenty of laughs and reminiscing to go around.

Whatever your traditions may be now, and whatever they may look like in the future, I hope they bring you peace and comfort in this very busy season.  Take Care!