Last night, good Dr. Steve and I participated in one of our favorite holiday traditions: watching the wonderful Christmas video, A Christmas Story. As we laughed along with Ralphie and his friends, we made the same comments we make every year.

"That kid looks just like my Dad, when he was little!" said Dr. Steve. "Mommy's little piggy!" sang CEO in sync with Ralphie's mom. Just as we have for the last eight years, we turned to one another at the end and said, "That is the best Christmas movie ever made!"

Earlier in our marriage? Meshing two sets of holiday traditions wasn't as simple as watching A Christmas Story. From our respective expectations to my children to his parents, we careened back and forth between traditions during the holidays, trying to please everyone.

Having children had softened my "No Early Christmas!" stance, but I'd held firm to "No Christmas until after my birthday, December 7th!" Until I married Dr. Steve, that is, and was converted to "Decorate the house on Thanksgiving weekend!"

In turn, Dr. Steve gave up certain of his own family traditions, involving multiple cocktail parties at multiple country clubs, all requiring neckties and pantyhose (ugh). Two teenaged step-children brought that one to a screeching real-world halt after a single, dressed-up year.

Now, nineteen years into marriage, we've passed through the fire and into a nice, comfortable frying pan. Like the linens and the cooking pans, our traditions are finally ours. Jumbled and homely, they're products of negotiation, transition, and just plain getting older. We've mixed old favorites, like opening a gift of something warm to wear on Christmas Eve, with new creations, like the "Travel Tree" displaying ornaments and souvenirs from our trips around the world.

Our traditions are simpler. They're less stilted and more fun. And not one of them has come from a women's magazine. How? Check out today's essay and Simplify Holiday Traditions!

Then use our printable Holiday Tradition Tracker to record the meaningful and the fun activities you share with family this year. They're traditions in the making!

to do today ...

Wrap and mail send-away gifts by December 14.

to read today ...

Do less and enjoy it more: simplify traditions!

Simplify Holiday Traditions!

to print today ...

Holiday Traditions

today's recipe ...

My eldest child's all-time favorite recipe! Melting, tender cookies shaped and colored like candy canes, Candy Cane Cookies are flavored with sparkles of crushed peppermint candy.

Candy Cane Cookies