Seeing the Starbucks Red Cup for the first time raises my spirits inordinately. I’m one of Those People- those people that love the holidays. Every year I try to explain why and sometimes I’m even successful in getting my feelings across. I once managed to warm the cold heart of one of my favorite Scrooge’s, Grace (of Law With Grace)-  who then sought & found the most perfect Christmas present for me, ever- a Christmas ornament with hand dried daisy’s carefully attached. It was, by all definitions, the perfect example of The Reason for the Season.

As silly as you might find it, I love the Starbucks Red Cup, the Salvation Army buckets, the message in The Polar Express  and Christmas carols. I love shopping for the perfect gift. The holiday season isn’t about money- in fact, The Hubs & I have successfully set a very low spending limit the past few years, instead focusing on finding something the other person will truly cherish & enjoy.  I love the food and the smells and pulling out the box of Christmas ornaments, each with its own memory and smile.

I don’t think this inordinate joy about the holidays is a mystery. Growing up we moved- a lot- and my parents made a huge effort to make the holiday’s special and cohesive no matter where we spent Thanksgiving Thursday or Christmas morning. Dressing the Thanksgiving turkey was always a big to-do, my brother and I watched as Dad stuffed and trussed the turkey, and once the juices started bubbling he’d crack the oven and tell us to lean close & listen to the turkey gobbling. Christmas Eve found our family making home-made pizza, watching a movie & setting out cookies and an imported beer for Santa. (Shrug….) My brother and I exchanged our gifts for each other on Christmas Eve- that way in the hubub of Christmas morning we could remember what our sibling had picked out for us. The only “rule” in getting that early gift was being able to remember what our sibling got us the year before.  My parents made such an effort to keep these goofy traditions the same, and when we were far from the rest of our family, invited our friends over to share the special time with. This made the holiday’s magical and special- there was pie after every meal and the lights twinkled as you drifted off to sleep. Even your chores seemed better when one of them included wiggling under the tree to make sure it had enough water.

The Hubs & I have started our own holiday traditions- my favorite is our annual trek to Starbucks to pick out two holiday mugs, one for the each of us, so we can enjoy hot cocoa or cider during the cold winter months. I love shopping for that perfect gift for B, carefully weighing my options & wrapping up the gifts with love, anticipating the look on his face when he tears open the paper. I love buying my Mom girly lotions and potions, things she’d never buy for herself but that I think she should spoil herself with, and I even have fun buying my Dad his gift off of his very specific and short list- he is always thrilled when he opens the package.

The holidays to me, with many thanks to my parents, is the time of year when you hug your loved ones a little closer. You invite your friends over for good food, warm drinks & even better company. You open your wallet at the Salvation Army bucket and you take the time to think about what would put a smile on someone else’s face. You practice your traditions- matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, potato latke parties, hidden Christmas ornaments, dreidel chocolates, extra turkey drumsticks, pumpkin pie for everyone (even Grandpa who claims he doesn’t like pumpkin pie), mashed potatoes with gravy lakes and using the good dishes and silver- no matter how silly the traditions might be. The holiday season is a time that I like to slow down and cherish my friends and family, even the people who frustrated me during the year.

That is the magic of the holiday season for me. It isn’t about little blue Tiffany’s boxes or opulent gift bags. It isn’t about being invited to The Party or spending money. It is about taking time to enjoy that mocha I just bought at Starbucks, and taking a moment to drop the change in the jar on my way out the door. It is about making favorite family recipes and giving everyone a real hug while letting them know how glad I am that they are in my life.

I hope this year even the Scrooge in you finds the time to remember that the bell will always ring for those who truly believe.