“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, ...

Each year in the village of Wigden, people fall under winter’s spell. Citizens bundle up, stoke fireplaces, write cards, and give gifts. Wigden has its own butcher, baker, and candlestick maker. The candlestick maker, Albrecht, lives in a tiny cottage and makes all kinds of candles from local beeswax. Each night, he lights a candle ...

The earth’s hue has turned white. The smell of kindness fills the air. The season of presents is upon us, So let’s make memories together – Because it’s the most wonderful time of the year again. Editor: Erynn Crittenden

“How long has this sat here?” Valerie asked, blowing dust off a red and green box. “Probably years. My parents weren’t big on decorating,” Hayden replied. He and Valerie were getting ready to spend their first holiday season at his parents’ old home. The house was a gift from them to the newlyweds since they ...

Holidays are hard.There’s the endless streamOf shopping, gift-wrapping,Cooking, cleaning,And hosting relativesYou barely talk toAny other time of year.The kids are cooped upAnd going crazy-Which drives YOU crazy-Because it’s too coldTo send them outside,So you have to entertain themAs best as you canWhile juggling workAnd everything elseListed aboveWhen all you want to doIs enjoy the liminal ...

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 ...

Beyond December lights,remember the nights. Breathe the longer days;bathe under the moon’s bright berets. Praise the sun’s eternal gaze –life’s celestial causeway. Editor: Erynn Crittenden

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 ...

The crash is so loud; I hear it above the buzz of my kids’ electric toothbrushes.  My five-year-old Sasha gasps, sending white spittle flying in every direction. “Santa only comes if we’re asleep. Everyone, hurry!” She flings her Spider Gwen toothbrush at the mirror and runs to her bedroom. We haven’t read ‘Twas the Night Before ...

The sugar bowl was reduced to this: two dollars and thirty-six cents. A year of high rents, bills, and groceries ravaged this reservoir of money, until today, the twenty-third of December. Miranda replaced the lid and sat at the kitchen chair, dejected. She covered her face with hands warmed by a cup of tea to ...