Well, the elections are finally over! We can relax and enjoy the holidays now. Whether your person won or not is in the history books now. So, let's get our collective heads on straight and get out of whatever funk you are in.
Turn on the Christmas music, get a glass of spiced hot wine (my charming bride of 40 years has a wonderful recipe), spend time with family, play a board game or a card game, and enjoy yourself.
And... food!!!! I don't know about your house, but at my house, particular foods are prepared only at this time of the year. These special family recipes have become traditions passed down from mother to daughter (sometimes a favorite son if he's lucky). Of course, there's nothing better than sitting around the tree with a roaring fire, and it could even be outside if you're allowed.
Making Holiday Memories
Watching Christmas movies and specials is another favorite pastime. And, watching the "Ball Drop" in Times Square (or the Pinecone if you're in Flagstaff) is another traditional event we try to stay up until midnight to enjoy, however harder and harder it gets each year as we get older and older.
As a kid growing up, there wasn't much money in the budget for a lot of gifts and special food items. But on a cold Georgia Christmas night, our mom would load us three boys up in the family car, a thermos of hot chocolate with a touch of peppermint in tow, and we would drive around the neighborhoods looking at all the beautiful outdoor decorations. It was rare that there would be enough snow to see any snowmen, but folks were creative and made cutout snowmen and plywood-painted Santa and reindeer. Although stringed lights were not as spectacular as they are today to little boys, they were still remarkable.
For me, this season is all about family and the warmth of special times that make the memories of the holidays last a lifetime. So get busy! Make some Christmas memories!
From our house to yours, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about those simple car rides looking at Christmas lights really hits home for me. A lot of people ask me, "How can we enjoy the holidays on a fixed retirement income?" The good news is that some of the most meaningful holiday traditions cost very little. Think of it this way: retirement is actually the perfect time to focus on what David calls "the warmth of special times" rather than expensive gifts.
Most people are surprised when they learn this, but retirees who budget for small seasonal pleasures throughout the year often report higher satisfaction than those who overspend during the holidays. Whether it's David's spiced wine recipe, a thermos of hot chocolate for neighborhood light tours, or hosting a card game night, these simple traditions create lasting joy without straining your Social Security benefits or retirement savings withdrawals.
The beauty of retirement is having the time to savor these moments that we used to rush through during our working years. A little planning for holiday traditions today can make every December feel magical tomorrow.