To me, Christmas is so much more than shopping, gifts, cooking and rushing around-although of course that is also part of the season.  For me, it is about tradition and spending time with loved ones.  Many years ago, my close friends and I decided that it was more important to see each other & spend time with each other than to buy each other gifts.  Here are some of the Christmas traditions that I share with loved ones, and now I'd like to share them with you.

Since college, I have spent Christmas Eve with my friends Dan, Lisa, Giuseppe,  and Lisa's family.  Lisa & Giuseppe have been married now for 14+ years, and they have two beautiful children - Gianni & Gabriel.  Christmas Eve is a wonderful night filled with food, reminiscing about college memories, and taking in all that is Christmas.  The boys are getting so big now - but they are full of life & yet they are still young enough to believe in the magic of Christmas.  Last year, Glen joined us for the first time in our holiday celebration, I was so happy to have him there.

Lisa & Giuseppe always do such a wonderful job of entertaining.  We usually spend most of the time in the kitchen around the table talking, drinking wine & enjoying the wonderful food they serve.  One year Lisa made a delicious homemade soup as a starter course, but we are so full from the appetizers, dinner was almost an after thought.  Dan & I give the kids gifts, watch old Christmas movies & sometimes we even sing.  This has been such a special tradition for all of us, and we try very hard to make sure we are together.  Yes, there have been times when we were not able to be together, but for the most part, we all participate in this wonderful tradition.

Christmas day for the last few years has been a bit hectic for me.  Since I am "single" and I don't have any children, I am the one to run around to see everyone.  I really don't mind too much.  For breakfast, I run to my sister Vickie's so we can exchange gifts, and I can see her son Ben for a bit, you see Vickie & her husband Chris usually spend Christmas dinner with his family.  My Dad & older sister Diane also join us for breakfast.  Unfortunately, Diane often works on Christmas, so this is my only chance to see her.  Then I am off to my friend Susan's house to see her family.  Her daughter Olivia is my god - daughter, so it is important to me to see her & give her her gifts.  And of course it is great to see her Mom - Susan, Grandmom - Marie, son -Tyler & husband - Bill too!!  I have known them for most of my life, and couldn't imagine my life without them!!  Then after this visit,  I rush home to change & gather the next batch of gifts and then it's off to my cousin Christy's house for dinner.  Christy & her fiance' Brian do a wonderful job cooking & serving a wonderful Christmas meal.  Her kids are teenagers now, so the magic of Christmas is a bit lost on them, but it is always so special to spend time with my family.  Last year, Glen also joined me here for dinner, and it was just wonderful.  I found out last year that Glen & Christy went to high school together, so they enjoy seeing each other & talking about old times too.  What a small world!! 

So a few weeks ago, Lisa called me and shared with me that she needs to tweak our Christmas Eve tradition - she & her family wanted to try something different this year.  We still need to figure out what we are going to do.  I know that things change, and traditions get "tweaked", but to know that my friends and family are there - well that is the greatest gift I could ever ask for.   

Many blessings to you & your during this magical holiday season!  And thank you for all of your love, support & kind words since I have become the newest on-air addition to the Quacker Factory family on QVC.

(Please let me hear from you: email me at angel@quackerfactory.com, or on Facebook.) I love hearing from Quackers!

Love --

Angel