Why the Holiday Season Is Both Joyful and Bittersweet

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you’re feeling less stuffed than your turkey by now.

It’s funny how, once we wrap up one of the biggest holidays of the year, we somehow have to keep the momentum going for December’s holiday lineup. Although the song says it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the most hectic. But even with all the chaos, I truly love the holiday season.

It’s the baking of Christmas cookies, visiting the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza (a must!), cooking with my family on Christmas Eve, and, of course, making merry with the people I love most that make this time of year so special.

I’m a gigantic sucker for nostalgia, so I’m especially thankful for holiday films like Christmas Vacation and Prancer—they always make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And yes, my family totally teases me for my love of Prancer. But honestly, who doesn’t love a young Sam Elliott? He was hot.

The season wouldn’t be complete for me without a trip to The Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Every year, I buy two tickets—one for myself and one for a special guest. It’s one of my favorite traditions. This year, I’m taking my niece, Mia, for her thirteenth birthday. Here’s hoping she doesn’t think it’s lame.

Scrooge’s story always reminds me that life is short, that our pasts don’t have to define our present or future, and that, no matter what happens, we can always reroute our lives for the better.

Things seemed so much simpler back then. Think of Bob Cratchit’s family—they had nearly nothing, yet they had everything. They had one another. (Okay, Mia will definitely think I’m lame when the tears start flowing during the play.)

But that’s what the holidays do—they stir up a whole spectrum of emotions: excitement, anxiety, sadness, nostalgia. It’s that unique time of year when you can feel both celebratory and sentimental all at once.

I remember my first Christmas without my mom. I floated through that season—I barely remember it. The firsts are always hard, but somehow, some way, we make it through them.

Every Christmas, I honor June’s spirit by doing things she used to do—like placing fake candles in the windows (so hygge), baking her cookie recipes, and watching her favorite movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. And yes, Jimmy Stewart was pretty good-looking too.

I often find that a bundled-up walk at dusk is the perfect time for a “chat” with my mom. When the lights begin to twinkle for the night, I take a stroll and fill her in on life. I guess you could say she’s my very own Ghost of Christmas Past.

I miss how she used to bribe me with extra presents if I’d wrap all her gifts. Being a sucker for a good bribe, I always said yes. Moms—if you need a hand this season, I highly recommend this tactic. It works.

As we shift into Christmas mode, I encourage you to reach out to someone who might need a little extra love and support, keep the spirit of a loved one alive by recreating one of their traditions, and most importantly, be gentle with yourself. We’re all doing our best to get into the spirit—but it’s perfectly okay if you’re not feeling it just yet.

Before I leave you, please consider shopping local this year. There are so many wonderful shops in La Grange and Western Springs that would love your holiday support. And if you want to skip shipping headaches, give the gift of an experience—it’s one that never goes out of style and creates memories that last a lifetime.

Wishing you all a very cozy holiday season.

Lauren 

This article was originally written for Hillgrove Ave Magazine.

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