A grab bag of observations on holiday decorating, gifting, movies, dining traditions and more! Behold my seasonal musings:

Deck the halls:

Holiday decor is a personal thing. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing the number of trees, holiday displays or outdoor Christmas lights. My friend Kathy goes all-in with eleven (!) Christmas trees set up throughout her home. Many have themes, including snowmen, Santa, gingerbread, 4^th of July, University of Illinois, gnomes, angels and a few with “just lights.”

There’s even a tree in one of her bathrooms. In addition to her substantial grove of trees, she has nativity scenes on display in the “manger room,” a nutcracker collection and a snow village. It takes Kathy several days to set everything up and although she admits “Yes, I’m crazy!” she wants her children and grandson to remember the wonderful decorations in her home.

I’m going a bit more minimalistic in my decor this year, which means no big upstairs tree – just the “basement tree.” The basement tree stays decorated and pre-lit in its corner of the storage room year-round.  When Christmas rolls around, we transfer it to a spot near the fireplace, add the tree skirt and voila!

I also scatter ornaments, candles and various decorative items that I store in drawers or cabinets throughout the house, making it and easy to take them out, display and then hide away after the holidays. As a like-minded friend pointed out “what goes up, must come down.”  I’m all about making the “tear-down” process easy. To be fair, I do have a weakness for holiday throw pillows. They just seem to multiply year after year.

Food feeds the soul:

Christmas is great time for anyone with a sweet tooth – which includes everyone in my family. Earlier this month, we received a large box of Pease’s assorted chocolate and nuts in the mail. Upon opening, my husband and I decided to divide and conquer. He’d have free reign of the milk chocolate and I’d take the dark. We shared the honey roasted nuts. We made quick work of that box.

Many families have holiday meal traditions dating back for generations. For us, it’s Chinese take-out on Christmas Eve, pancakes and sausage on Christmas morning and a beef tenderloin served alongside baked potatoes for Christmas dinner.

The Barr family enjoys a Swedish smorgasbord on Christmas Eve; shrimp, herring, anchovies, ham, pickled cucumber, glogg, cookies and Swedish Flop for dessert. I’ll have to google “Swedish Flop,” but I’m sure it’s delicious.

John Farney’s family, “always shares Oplatek – a Polish tradition where we break bread similar to communion host with our family on Christmas, wishing each other the best for the new year with a hug, kiss or handshake.”

Kathy Young and her family enjoy a Christmas breakfast of biscuits and gravy and monkey bread. “Christmas day fare has varied over the years, with chili, pie or homemade sliders – whatever sounds good. And trays of cookies are always available. Our daughter carried on her Grandma Dolly’s cookie baking extravaganza.”

Rich Montgomery follows in his parents’ tradition of eating Ritz crackers, summer sausage and cheese while watching “A Christmas Carol” on Christmas Eve. Which brings me to my next topic.

Holiday Viewing:

Everyone has a list of favorite Christmas movies. They make us laugh, cry, ponder life and bring warm feelings of nostalgia. My family favorites lean toward light hearted comedies such as “Elf,” “Jingle all the Way,” and “The Santa Clause.” I think it’s the storyline of the goofy, clueless adults eventually learning the true meaning of Christmas that is so endearing.

My friend Rich (the aforementioned Christmas Eve Ritz cracker snacker) starting posting Christmas movie reviews in early December. His all-time favorites are, “Love, Actually,” “Christmas in Connecticut,” and “Family Stone.” He hated “Elf” and “Bad Santa” but is willing to give “The Santa Clause” a chance.

And for the large, loyal contingent of the Hallmark channel, Christmas movies based on the same three plots will be playing round the clock. So, grab your tissues, a glass of wine and a box of bon-bons. The single career-girl from the city will soon be meeting her Mr. right in the form of a hot local lumberjack/coffee-shop owner.

Shopping and gifting and wrapping, oh my!

Every year around Thanksgiving, our family discusses going minimalistic on gifts “this year” and every year, we fail. This will be the year. I’m serious – we are taking it easy on gifts! I’ll let you know how that goes.

It’s so hard to find that perfect gift – particularly in a time where people tend to buy what they want and need for themselves year-round. I also prefer giving practical gifts; pajamas, socks, gloves, convenience items, etc. Because, who doesn’t need more socks?

For those who are really stumped over what to get that guy or gal who has everything, there’s always the option to make a donation to a favorite charity in their name.

One category of gifts that I really enjoy shopping for is the stocking stuffer. I love searching for a variety of tiny treasures for people to dig out of their stockings on Christmas morning. Toiletries, small gadgets, books, ornaments, candy – you name it. And I stuff those stocking full!

When the Holiday is just another day at the office:

My daughter won’t be spending Christmas with us this year. Her hospitalist team will be covering the Christmas shift. They, along with thousands of other health care providers, first responders, military personnel, utility workers, truck-drivers, pilots, gas station employees and countless others will keep our world humming along while we celebrate the holidays with loved ones. They deserve our unending thanks and gratitude.

A joyous season for all:

I’ve written this column through the lens of Christmas, yet this season encompasses Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and many other holidays. Whatever your beliefs and however you celebrate, I sincerely wish that you and yours have a holiday filled with family, friends, joy and peace.