when i lived with my mom before that whole side of the family kinda fell apart xmas was always so cozy and festive. we’d always have a huge tree with different sorts of lights & we had several generations worth of ornaments (some were like 100 yrs old) and a box with an equally impressive collection of cookie cutters…we’d spend a whole day making and decorating nutmeg sugar cookies with the family recipe then we’d share the cookies with all our family and friends. on xmas day we’d have a big dinner which we’d alternate holding at my moms house and my aunts house every year. there were a lot of presents and that was very exciting too but that’s less important. we’d thread cranberries and popcorn and hang wreathes and listen to old carols…my family wasn’t even religious but i miss indulging in these traditions and festivities…winter celebration is important i feel like… i miss all this stuff a lot but i’m trying not to feel sad about it. i want to be able to recreate that cozyness and joy but with a chosen family that’s actually functional and loving & it will be even better than what i remember from my childhood because there won’t be toxic people and unhealthy dynamics tainting the whole experience. but for this christmas…the weather is snowy and perfect and i’m going to make mashed sweet potato for dinner