Holidays Blogs

Growing up, I had two distinctive impressions of pumpkin pie. Both of my grandmothers made homemade pies each year, but each was a different experience. One created a delectable homemade crust with a light, pumpkin filling. My grandma on the other side made a pie that was equally flavorful but...

Each year during the winter holidays, watching It’s a Wonderful Life by Frank Capra is a tradition for me. The holidays are a natural time to reflect on one’s life. For some, the season feels exciting, fun, and refreshing. However, for others, it can be one of the most difficult times of...

The holiday season is right around the corner. When we think about this time of year, words like fun, stress, excitement, busy, grief, and family time may come to mind. We want to make the most of the time we spend with friends and family, engaging in activities, and creating memories that will...

The holiday season can evoke a wide range of emotions, from anticipation and joy to reflection and nostalgia. This time of year often stirs up a multitude of thoughts, feelings, and memories, offering opportunities for connection and celebration. However, it can also bring added stress to an...

Children can get lost in many places. And at this time of year when we are all doing our holiday shopping, there can be an even bigger risk of a child losing their way. This information is from a new tip sheet by the Illinois Early Learning Project...

The American Psychological Association has conducted a nationwide survey in its Mind/Body campaign since 2007. The focus is to examine the state of stress nationwide and understand its impact. The study in 2023 indicated that 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. Managing stress can help...

Do you dread the holidays because… You are you an adult who is single and your family and friends wish you were happily coupled? Are you a parent of an adult child wishing you had grandbabies? Every time you are gathered with family do you still feel judged for the life choices you made? Time spent...

As a new year is upon us, sometimes we say that we hope the new year is better than the last.  As the saying goes, are you looking at your glass half-full or half-empty?  Our outlook may be grim, or it could be positive. If your tendency is to find the less optimistic view, then you might...

The holiday season is fast approaching and given the loss, turmoil, and uncertainty that we have recently experienced, I thought it would be helpful to revisit this post from a few years ago. While the holiday season brings about joy and celebration, it can also be a time of great...