Editor's Note

Happy holidays to all the Pen Pal readers out there! This is always one of my favorite times of year. As soon as my family and I have eaten our last bites of turkey and have polished off our final pieces of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, I’m completely ready to trade in those pilgrims for snowmen. My mind immediately shifts over to the holiday season and all the wonders it holds. Only at this time of year am I actually excited for excessive amounts of snow and door buster sales at 5am.

But while many of us relish the holidays, it’s also probably the busiest time of year for most of us. Between the shopping, the parties, and the extended family commitments, little time can be left for you and your immediate family. It’s important to remember that you can’t be everywhere at once and everything to everyone. Sometimes you just have to learn to say no, which I know can be very difficult. So many of my married friends really don’t get a holiday of their own because they are dashing from one in-law’s house to another. By the end of the day they are crabby and their children are exhausted. This should be the happiest time of the year!

Remember that it’s important to make your own traditions. Maybe this year is the year you decline one of the family invitations and instead write a really nice letter filling everyone in on what you’ve been doing and politely explain that this year you’re going to stay at home for some special family time. Include pictures too!

Be sure to check out our article, Holiday Stress Less Tips, which provides more great ideas on how to make this holiday season the merriest it can be!

Christy Wolf, Editor

Got a crazy holiday season ahead of you? Tell us your wackiest holiday stories!