Some Thoughts On The Holidays This Year

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I remember growing up, people were confused by the fact that my family had never had a Christmas tree (spoiler alert- we're Jewish...) In fact, we didn't decorate at all. Because, well... nobody made holiday decor that wasn't for Christmas. When I was young, it used to bother me a bit... I felt left out. But as I started growing up, I learned that the holidays aren't in fact about the big fancy trees or presents underneath them at all. It's about the people you spend them with and the traditions you pass down from generation to generation. (In hebrew we say, l'dor v'dor). I did want to share this beautiful decor because I think there is something to be said about feeling included. Most of my life (my fellow Jews can attest) it’s been VERY hard to find non- denominational, festive holiday decor (let alone, Judaica) at an affordable price. I am SO thrilled to have found some subtle and beautiful decor for Hanukkah (all linked above) and I felt so much joy setting up my little dining table at home for a holiday shoot before we left for our road trip. While I do adore my little holiday setup and am SO glad I have finally found non-denominational holiday decor (shoutout West Elm!) it’s not the fancy decor or presents that make the holidays the holidays at all…

This year, as always, I'm grateful for the holiday season with my family. Things may look a little bit different this year and while I will surely miss our big holiday gatherings and rooms full of everyone I love, roaring laughter and our yearly white elephant gift exchange with our chosen family (for a start) there is truly only one thing that is more important now more then ever. This year, all I can hope for all of our families is the ability to be together and be healthy. We all have things we are missing or feel like we may have missed out on. But let’s try to focus on what’s most important. Health and family. I have truly learned this year that nothing else matters.

This time of year can be overwhelming… but especially this year, I find it difficult to be bombarded by holiday gift guides and ads of physical things to buy for the holidays. So many of our fellow Americans and friends world wide are only able to think about and hope for health and the ability to put food on the table. Having both of those things is truly, such a blessing. To any of you reading this who have lost a loved one or has a loved one battling COVID-19 or any other illness, I am thinking of you. My heart goes out to you and your family and I send my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. To any of you who may not be able to be with your family this holiday season or who may be spending it alone, I am thinking of you as well and wrapping you in love.

Please remember as we are constantly overwhelmed this next month and a half by extravagant holiday decor, and extravagant gifts that those are only things. Things don’t make us happy and they are not what is truly important. Social media can be a tough place and seeing your favorite social media people sharing big fancy meals and extravagant decor and gift guide upon gift guide can be saddening when your holidays don’t look like that. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading these guides and I know the tremendous amount of work that goes into them. They are SO helpful and there is something to be said about the joy of gift giving and finding the perfect thing for those you love. (side note- I’m not hating on gift guides at all. In fact, I’m going to have one coming your way soon) Just remember, they are just things. What is truly important is our health and the health and safety of each other. There is one other thing I want to address… Surely, we are bound to see too many people having unsafe, large gatherings and parties in the coming months and I want to remind those of you who are staying home, not seeing friends and family and keeping this small and safe that YOU are doing things RIGHT. It can be devastating to see these parties when some of us haven’t even been able to see our families because it’s not safe to do so. Those of you continuing to keep a low profile and keep each other safe, thank you for your caring and kind hearts and your efforts to get this thing under control and help save lives. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed.

Ok, things are getting a bit long here and you get the gist. Although this holiday season looks different than any we have had before, let’s all try and be grateful for the little things and learn that health and family is the best gift of all. I love ya’ll very much and am so grateful for this community. Sending love to you and your loved ones always and especially this holiday season.

xx Ali