Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

Evidence….she's One Hundred years old!  It was a terrific party – attended by aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends, cousins, kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren.  May we all be so lucky to live such a life!

Evidence….she's One Hundred years old!  It was a terrific party – attended by aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends, cousins, kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren.  May we all be so lucky to live such a life!

I'm still wrapping.  Are you?  I thought I was on a good pace….numerous trips to the post office shipping gift packages and orders, nearly everything on the to-do lists is done but I'm still writing out cards, and still wrapping and baking….and tomorrow is Christmas Eve!  No matter how much I try to be organized I am always down to the last minute with holiday preparation.  I could ask for help, but that would take away the surprise and sneaky selections I've made as gifts.  No, I am happy to be the chief elf.  I am lucky to have that role.  As I write out each gift tag I think about this great position I'm in to continue making Christmas a magical time – even though our kids are no longer little.  It's the lights, the sparkle, the surprises, the LOVE….and tomorrow night at church we will pause, pray, and lift our voices in song.  I'm rushing to beat the clock, but I'm grinning through it.  As you enter into final-preparation-mode, like the rest of us, think about how lucky you are to be the magic-maker for your family. 

I've mentioned this before – one of our family traditions is to collect souvenir spoons on our travels.  Brought out each December, it is fun to remember places we've been together as we hang each spoon on the tree.  This year we get to add a few new ones.  I think this makes at least 6 from England, and now we have two from Italy.  One purchased, one stolen (gasp!).  If you sift through the box you'll see a newish one from New Orleans, an old one from Traverse City, several from Boston and Minnesota, and a special one from New York when the twin towers were still part of the skyline. 

I would ask you to share with me some of your unusual holiday traditions….but you should be wrapping!  We will talk about it another time…..for now, I'm raising a glass to toast you, the magic-makers. 

I'm still wrapping.  Are you?  I thought I was on a good pace….numerous trips to the post office shipping gift packages and orders, nearly everything on the to-do lists is done but I'm still writing out cards, and still wrapping and baking….and tomorrow is Christmas Eve!  No matter how much I try to be organized I am always down to the last minute with holiday preparation.  I could ask for help, but that would take away the surprise and sneaky selections I've made as gifts.  No, I am happy to be the chief elf.  I am lucky to have that role.  As I write out each gift tag I think about this great position I'm in to continue making Christmas a magical time – even though our kids are no longer little.  It's the lights, the sparkle, the surprises, the LOVE….and tomorrow night at church we will pause, pray, and lift our voices in song.  I'm rushing to beat the clock, but I'm grinning through it.  As you enter into final-preparation-mode, like the rest of us, think about how lucky you are to be the magic-maker for your family. 

I've mentioned this before – one of our family traditions is to collect souvenir spoons on our travels.  Brought out each December, it is fun to remember places we've been together as we hang each spoon on the tree.  This year we get to add a few new ones.  I think this makes at least 6 from England, and now we have two from Italy.  One purchased, one stolen (gasp!).  If you sift through the box you'll see a newish one from New Orleans, an old one from Traverse City, several from Boston and Minnesota, and a special one from New York when the twin towers were still part of the skyline. 

I would ask you to share with me some of your unusual holiday traditions….but you should be wrapping!  We will talk about it another time…..for now, I'm raising a glass to toast you, the magic-makers.