good things about the holidays

(For this post, I will refrain from extended ranting about crazy shopping crowds, screaming out-of-control children, even-worse-than-usual air travel, fanatically and scarily cheery people, horrible cheesy music, commercialism aka holiday creep, and more. Observe.)

I'm not a big fan of tradition generally, but as I was sitting here this morning digesting the rest of Christmas dinner and reading more holiday email, I realized I do like some things about the holidays.

I like that people send out holiday cards, emails, newsletters, and other greetings, and I get to catch up on what everyone's been up to recently. Every year, I rediscover that my friends and family are fascinating people with wide-ranging and diverse interests. Sometimes I'm a teeny bit jealous of all the adventures that people are having, but that's also good, as it reminds me to re-examine and figure out how to execute on my own plans.

I like (most) holiday gatherings, or at least those with good food and good company. I like being in one place (geographically) with lots of family, and staying up at night being silly with my cousins. I love Christmas cookies and other holiday desserts, and the process of making them, with lots of people together creating chaos in the kitchen.

I guess I just like that people make an extra effort for the holidays, and that it shows.