“Merry Christmas to all, and a happy, happy new year,” the Salsoul Orchestra sang from the speakers. My mother’s mom played this record when she was growing up, and it became a part of my childhood. I grew up in an Italian-American household. The elders gifted as much as they could to the next generation, ...

The days are endless as you prepare to house the children who never call home and host the cousin you don’t like, since she stole your prized diamond stud. But you do it with a smile, because it’s Christmas. Everything has to be perfect. The nights stretch on as you string the tangled lights, decorate ...

Needles are falling, the tree skirt’s plain fabric, The bulbs are all scratched up and losing their magic, Only three-fifths of the light strands will flash, And my favorite ornament dropped with a crash. Dust has built up on my ancient decor; It’s much too expensive to go out and buy more. Un-iced cookies take ...

It’s Christmas day, and as the kids grumble about the gifts they didn’t receive, you’re in the kitchen, surrounded by the sharp aroma of minced onions while completing the repetitive task of removing the thick, robust skin of the potatoes. The kitchen is filled with the pungent and sweet fragrance of herbs as the flavors ...

It’s the day after Thanksgiving. The dishes done, the leftovers put away, and the table is back to normal. The last week I busied myself with cooking recipes that only get made once a year and writing in NaNoWriMo. I surprised myself by keeping to a writing schedule—something I haven’t done in a long while. ...

If you are a parent, chances are that you have said something to the effect of: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” It’s a lesson that we learn early in life and try to teach our children as soon as they have the ability to string recognizable ...

Christmas is so overrated. Make sure to disband all merry making and refuse to participate in any of the family and friend activities.