Happy Holidays!

Of course my thing is the interconnectedness of creativity and happiness, so what more perfect time than the holidays to witness and enhance that connection.  After all, how happy our holidays are is largely dependent on what we “make” of them.  It’s about creating the fun times and memories.

What was so wonderful about Christmas when we were children (I use Christmas as an example since that’s my frame of reference)?  Wasn’t it that it was new, unexpected, a mystery, a surprise, the anticipation?  And why was that – probably because we were just children and someone else was making it that way for us.  Think of the parent or loved one seeking that special gift to thrill and delight.  Or all the behind-the-scenes work the teacher put into the Christmas pageant or classroom party.  Maybe it was someone close to us making the time for a special occasion together, or even just sharing a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows!

And what makes the holidays special when we’re grown – probably doing some of those same things, carrying them on as traditions…but it does take the effort to create those moments of happiness.  I’ve seen a year where I sat back and awaited “the magic”…and it didn’t automatically happen.  The family tree didn’t go up until the week of Christmas, and that’s because I jumped in and did it.  It took taking action and changing my outlook to turn that one around.

My family has many traditions, and those are the foundation of the holiday enjoyment.  Then there are the added things, the created moments or special events that make it really merry.  One year I came across a pickle ornament and learned of a German tradition of hiding the ornament on the tree with the person finding it receiving a special gift, so I hung the ornament and put the present under the tree.  There was a bit of intrigue after the presents had been opened and everyone wondered who the last, tagless gift was for…and so a fun moment was created as everyone began scouring the tree for the tiny pickle.  I did it again the next year, and with our family, once something has been done two years in a row, it becomes tradition.

Create fun, make a tradition, do something new, look for opportunities to innovate, inspire with imagination, and create happiness.  Create the moments, events, and memories that will make your holidays fun!

Season’s greetings!

Reindeer, 2012 - 20"x40"