Time seems to pass more and more quickly these days, and as October races by, the reality is sinking in that this holiday season will be here and gone before we know it. It seems like every year, I have a few things that I want to accomplish during the holidays (see the Nutcracker at the city ballet! wrap my gifts with vintage ribbon! make a buche de noel from scratch!) and by the time December 26th rolls around, my good intentions are often still, well, just intentions.
“There’s always next year!” I tell myself. Can anyone identify? Well this, my dears, is THE year, and there’s no time like the present to seize the day and write down exactly what we want this holiday season to be about, and then just like Old St. Nick himself, check that list and check it twice. Here are a few things going on my calendar between now and December that I have a feeling will make the season more meaningful, and maybe even freeze time for a moment before it all rushes by in a blur. And just to get your creative juices flowing, I polled a few of my favorite creative people (including my mom!) to see what’s going on their holiday resolutions list this year… Of course, we’d love to get inspired by all of yours in the comments!
Camille’s Holiday Resolutions 2013
- Every year, for as long as I can remember, my mom makes her famous almond kringle pastry for Christmas morning breakfast. This year, I’m going to make it with her, side-by-side, so she can pass on all her secrets.
- We have the best neighbors, but thanks to a busy schedule and lots of coming and going, I feel like we never even see them! I’m going to find a Sunday afternoon in early December and invite them all to come over for a neighborhood open house. Nothing fancy — hot cocoa, mulled wine, a cheese board — it’s really just about taking the time to reconnect with our ‘hood and meet the new neighbors, too!
- I have so many great girl friends around the country who I rarely get to see, and this year, I want to show them how much I love them by sending a personal and completely unexpected gift. This one takes some advance planning — no Christmas Eve shopping! — but ’tis the season to treasure your nearest and dearest, wherever they are.
And some amazing resolutions from our editors, et. al:
Chris (my mom!): I would like to adopt a more organic feel to the holidays this year, including finding gifts that are both useful and beautiful (and loads of fun for Phoebe), decorating the house with fresh greenery and creamy vanilla candles, and maybe taking a trip to San Antonio to walk along the river and enjoy some pre-Christmas Mexican food — a new tradition, perhaps?
Jen: Since this will be our final holiday season as a family of two, we are really focusing on spending as much time as possible with our families and friends back home this year. I’m looking forward to enjoying the traditions of my childhood– Christmas Eve tomales, building gingerbread houses with my sisters, baking raspberry thumbprint cookies with my mom, and spying on my dad while he perfects his Christmas Day feast of prime rib and yorkshire pudding (which hopefully one day I will master!). All the while we will be pondering what our own traditions will be as a family of three next year back in Los Angeles!
Sarah: This holiday season I want to mail my Christmas cards out before the New Year! I love receiving cards from all of our friends and family, it’s such a nice treat and something I look forward to every year. And it seems like such a simple thing to send my own but I get so caught up in holiday party planning, shopping for gifts, and baking yummy treats that the month flies by and before I know it I’m sending my cards to wish everyone a Happy New Year! This year the cards are going out no later than the second week of December, I’m making that promise to myself right here and now.
Elizabeth: This year, we’re resolved to stay in town for Thanksgiving, and we have a long list of family “must do’s” for our staycation, including day trips to Houston and San Antonio, leisurely trips to museums we never seem to have time to visit, new restaurants we want to try, lots of movies, Hill Country hikes, thrift store shopping, and a family run in the Turkey Trot!
Martha Lynn: This holiday I resolve to work less, play more and create new traditions with my family! I’m also on the hunt for the best Christmas lights in Austin!
Claire: This year I’m putting away work to focus more on special time with family and friends, baking, and relaxing.
** all photos by Buff Strickland for this collaboration we did with kate spade new york.
