My Dears,
I hope this past week has brought you a few bright sparks of generosity, joy, and connection. I’ve already heard from so many of you, and it warms my heart knowing this little adventure we’re on together is finding its way into your homes.
This week, I want to talk about something I struggle with too…
Being where your feet are.
You and I both know Christmas isn’t just a day or two on the calendar — it’s a season. A season full of twinkle lights, carols drifting from shop doors, mugs of cocoa warming chilly hands, small-town parades, and holiday movies streaming on an endless loop.
And yet, in all the rushing, wrapping, planning, purchasing, baking, posting, and preparing… it’s so easy to forget to be here for it.
I’ve been guilty of trying so hard to “make the season magical” that I forget to notice the magic already happening around me.
Do you ever feel that way too?
So this week, I want to invite you into a gentler rhythm — one where you notice the glow of the lights as you walk to your car… where you pause long enough to hear a caroler’s harmony… where you take one deep breath and think, this is Christmas, too.
Make the Memories That Last
When the season comes to a close, we won’t remember every gift we scrambled to find or which bag had the prettiest tissue paper.
But we will remember…
- that late-night drive to look at lights
- the game that made everyone laugh until they cried
- the moment someone held your hand a little longer
- the simple joy of being together, even in chaos
And speaking of memory-making… I have a new favorite tradition at the North Pole: Holiday Game Dice. Three little dice — WHO, HOW, and WHAT — rolled together to create hilarious combinations that fill the room with laughter.
(Imagine Grandpa singing Jingle Bells opera-style while pretending to ride a reindeer. Pure Christmas magic.)
If you’re building your list of new traditions, add this one. It’s perfect for families, classrooms, holiday parties, or cocktail hour with friends.
Let the Season Be Lighter
Being present becomes so much easier when we simplify the things that pull us away from the moment. I always encourage folks to look for the helpers in their community — small businesses who make gift-giving easier so you can spend your time doing what matters most.
My friends at Daymaker Gifts are wonderful at this.
They love taking a few things off your plate so you can soak in the lights, the cocoa, the laughter, and the moments waiting for you. Beautifully curated gifts, thoughtfully wrapped, shipped with care — a simple way to lighten your holiday list so you can be present with the people you love.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just an extra set of helpful hands in a season that asks a lot from yours.
This Week’s Generosity Challenge
Be generous with your presence.
Choose one moment this week to fully slow down — put the phone away, silence the notifications, close the mental tabs, and be exactly where your feet are. Watch the lights. Listen to the music. Notice the love around you. Share that moment with someone else.
Presence just might be the most generous gift you give this year.
A Question for You
Do you struggle to be where your feet are during this season?
(I do too… all year long, but especially now.)
And tell me —
What do you do when the endless to-do list is circling your mind and you’re trying to stay present?
I’d love to hear the small practices, pauses, or reminders that help you settle into the moment.
Sending you a gentle reminder to savor this season — not for its perfection, but for its presence.
P.S. Missed one of my Christmas Chronicles or want to reread a favorite?
You can catch up on every episode right here on the website.
