By: Sandy Churchill As a type-A, anxiety-prone, over-the-top celebrator who embraces FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) like a mantra, I need my calm friends and family to keep me grounded. My partner in crime is a type-B, go-with-the-flow, even-keel spouse who rides the middle of the emotional highway without much veering into the highs and lows of my … More Setting Lower Expectations for Holiday Peace
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja As the year comes to an end, the spirit of Christmas envelopes me like one of those foggy, shimmery winter mornings. I remain utterly enchanted and enthralled by the beauty of this season, and this festival in particular. Even in my forties, I cannot help but gaze wide-eyed as a child … More The Beauty of Giving
By: Cheryl Maguire *Please note: The story below is based on last year’s holiday season. While celebrating this year is much different, I hope to provide a reminder of the joy of family, and hopefully a glimpse of future holiday seasons. “Can we please host Thanksgiving dinner?” This is how I wanted to respond to … More A Holiday Humor Story
By: Heather O’Neill Last month I wrote about how we shared the magic of Santa with my oldest son who was 10 at the time. When he 9, in the 4th grade, there seemed to be lots and lots of questions and I had the sense that this was going to be the last year … More Santa Scavenger Hunt
By: Sandy Churchill This year’s Thanksgiving has turned the page, Christmas songs are on the radio, and stores are bedecked in their finest of crimson, silver, and gold. Many of us are in the throes of Christmas shopping and searching for gifts for loved ones near and far, be it online shopping or frenzied treks … More The One Gift Everyone Should Give This Christmas
By: Jennifer Lonergan Music is food for the soul. We have all heard this before but, for me, it is absolutely true. My favorite thing about Christmas time is the music. Denomination does not matter. The melody, the instruments, the sentiment is all I need to get into the holiday spirit. And for a brief … More Sound of the Season
By: Cheryl Maguire On Christmas Eve, I sat alone on a bench, in the middle of a crowded mall. My husband, Bob, and our daughters, age 12 and 9, roamed the shops in an attempt to find me the perfect Christmas gift, even though I told them not to. Bob’s anxiety surrounding this situation caused … More The Gift
By: Tanya Pimental Each year, I get really excited to start listening to holiday music and make my lists. Giving makes me so very happy and finding that perfect coordinating wrapping paper has become a real tradition. All that said, there is of course stress that comes with the holiday hustle. The holidays are … More Holiday Hustle
We hope you an your family have a holiday season full of joy, love, health, and blessings. Cheryl: My favorite holiday tradition is to sing Christmas Carols with my neighbors at a nursing home. We have been doing it for the past eight years. Deirdre: Our favorite tradition is simply decorating the tree. We have … More Happy Holiday Traditions
By: Lauren Tankle You really don’t know a person until you have played a Yankee Swap game with them. This game makes you realize that people you grew up with your whole life are unapologetically capable of plotting your demise and will do everything and anything to take you down all because you really … More Yankee Swap
Community Voices for Health 