My Christmas cards went into the mail today. I bought a
lovely large silk poinsettia. I’ll attend a few holiday parties—my RWA
chapter’s, one with friends, one with my bookclub—and that, my friends, will
probably be the extent of Christmas at our house, at least in December.
When my boys were little, we spent a lot of time on the road
during Christmas. My parents were five hours away so we’d pop south to visit
them for a night and then we’d drive three hours east to visit my husband’s
parents. Then it was a six-hour drive home. I have to confess that as much as I
enjoyed visiting with our families, I also welcomed the two years when it
snowed over Christmas because the boys got to sleep in their beds and Santa
visited at our house. There wasn’t the stress of driving roads, usually in the
cold and rain, filled with traffic as others tried to join family elsewhere.
It was just us—snug in our home.
So when my boys started getting serious about their
girlfriends, I encouraged them to spend the holiday with her family. Drive to
one destination, relax, enjoy the holiday. We’ll have our “Christmas” sometime
in January.
And we’ve done that for five years now. Hubby and I started
a tradition of going out to a very nice restaurant on Christmas Eve. Christmas
day we catch a movie, then come home and prepare a small turkey dinner. It’s
relaxed, it’s enjoyable, and I don’t have to worry about my boys being on the
road.
I usually put up a tree but this year we’ll be meeting later
than usual—in February—so I’m thinking the tree probably won’t go up. Or maybe
it will. I haven’t decided.
I know the holidays can be difficult for those who don’t
have family near or friends to visit. I think this is where creating other
traditions for ourselves can be helpful, can give us something special to look
forward to. After our turkey dinner, I’ll watch a few Christmas movies—Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, How
the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Then I’ll probably curl up with a good book. What book would
you recommend for holiday reading?
Lorraine has a Christmas novella, Deck the Halls with Love, that came out last Christmas. It’s a
story of second chances.
Lorraine will give away a copy of her Christmas
novella and her latest novel, ONCE MORE, MY DARLING ROGUE, to one lucky poster. Leave a comment for a chance to win!
Happy Holidays!
*** Lorraine's winner is Carol L! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***
