Making it Merry

Usually the holidays are kind of blah to me (mainly because something terrible always seems to happen every year around them. Someone seems to always die and all that). Well, after this past week I'm downright terrified of the holidays now, to be quite honest.

Regardless, I'm trying to enjoy them as much as I'm able to. I packed this month with plenty of holiday cheer and am ready to take on Christmas with a smile and a spoonful of good humor.

Here's how I stayed sane this month:

Local Gift Shopping
I took the sting out of buying Christmas presents by buying mainly local and handmade gifts. I was able to pick personalized gifts for everyone that had a special meaning, and feel really good about where I was putting my money this year, from the basket full of Italian food goodies from Skappo Merkato for my parents, to the local honey and handmade beeswax candle for my boss that I bought at Hindinger Farm.

Lots 'O Christmas Trees
Seeing/buying lots of Christmas trees definitely helped put me in the spirit. First there was the New Haven tree lighting I went to with my friend Cara:



Then the dude and I went to NYC to see the Rockefeller Center tree (and all the other Christmas wonders in the city. Nothing gets you in the holiday mood like giant ornaments and lights):





In one day the dude and I went to get two Christmas trees: one for us and one for his mom.




Yearly Traditions
Each year I make sure to do two things: go see my friends in CONNetic Dance perform The Nutcracker with my buddy Katherine, and eat sushi while watching Love Actually with my friend April. They're two holiday traditions that I really want to make sure I continue.



Is there anything you do to keep the holidays enjoyable each year and block out all the ridiculousness? I'm open to adding new traditions...

Hope everyone has a great Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/whatever!