So Now What? 

By George V. Howe

I love the holiday season but it also can become confusing – that “holiday void” between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s that delightful stretch of days where the Thanksgiving leftovers have evolved into a new species, your social calendar is full but you’re really not sure with what, and you’re somehow both extremely busy and not productive at all. So, here’s a few Helpful Howe tips to get through this awkward seasonal intermission.

After Thanksgiving, the first order of business is establishing what day it is. I know every day ends in “y”, but they do seem to meld together without rhyme or reason this time of year. Is it Monday? Thursday? Or “Holiday-ish”? The only true indicator in our house is if Tanis has opened a new advent calendar door. Absent of that, just assume it’s still November and give yourself permission to eat pie for breakfast. 

Ok, you’ve made it through November but here comes the inevitable question: “where did we put the decorations?”.  Archaeologists could learn a thing or two from the average family digging through their basement this time of year. Somewhere between the box of tangled lights and the wreath that mysteriously shrank, you tend to find a goldmine of “stuff”. Wrapping paper – if you’re like my family (Mom, I’m talking to you), you’ll find wrapping paper from the 1970’s. Yes, I still have a roll of Peanuts/Snoopy wrapping paper. Lights – this spider’s web of electrical carnage is enough to make me want to fast forward to the New Year but you bite the bullet and start to unravel them. In my house the string of lights work perfectly until I touch them. Then you find “the box” – a whole host of tacky family heirlooms, decorative items you don’t remember buying, holiday costumes for your dog, and 7 different tree-toppers. Bonus points if you also find Halloween candy you forgot to hand out this past decade. 

Now it’s time to start the holiday shopping…emotionally, not actually. Tell yourself you’ll get your shopping done early this year and feel good about that decision. Then….do nothing! This is the sacred ritual of early December. 

Of course, with December comes some of the biggest challenges you’ll face - the desserts, the sweets, candy, pies, sugar-laced holiday cocktails, etc. Side note for you coffee drinkers: I use cream in my coffee. Do yourself a favor and replace cream with eggnog…you’re welcome! But just remember, you must pace yourself here, this is a marathon not a sprint. 

There are a few more rituals that I could list: elf-on-a-shelf for those that still believe, holiday parties, secret santas, tree-lighting ceremonies. But this is the end of the year so it’s the perfect time to look back on what you accomplished this year (just the good parts). Not the emails you didn’t answer, the weight you didn’t lose from last year’s resolution, or the number of birthdays you forgot to acknowledge. So, ya, focus on the wins, big or small and celebrate accordingly. 

The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a strange blend of chaos, joy, sugar, and questionable scheduling. Embrace the confusion. Enjoy the small moments. And if all else fails, make another Gingerbread Martini and pretend you’re on top of everything.

Happy Holidays everyone, from our house to yours!