Thread Drift

[lph]

Halloween is getting bigger here too, but I like it, for one because I enjoy the whole vibe of it, but also because I don't feel any pressure to celebrate. That's not completely correct, I do feel that I have to go buy candy for the kids as a minimum, but it's a nice way to meet and interact with the neighbourhood. The "holidays" I really don't like are Valentine's, and mother's and fathers day, with ads everywhere trying to give you a bad conscience if you don't show how much you love someone by buying them something.

[Pax]

Thanksgiving used to be my favorite, the whole family got together, there was great conversation and food, and there were no presents to buy... just a nice day together.

[Crankin]

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite, since it's all about the food, getting together, fun. I liked Chanukah when my kids were small, now, it's less of a celebration for us. I also used to love Valentine's Day, as my Dad always made a big deal of it while I was growing up, with jewelry for my mom, and candy/small gifts for me. DH and I go out a lot, so it's not such a big deal now. I usually cook a nice dinner and sometimes we exchange small gifts.
I also love Patriot's Day, a quintessential Massachusetts Day. It's the celebration of the "shot heard round the world," and now that I live 3 miles from where that actually happened, it's quite meaningful. I also have marched in the parade as part of a military family group, and it's just amazing.

[Pax]

This is my first "orphan" year. My parents are gone now, my brother and I are okay with each other now, but our lives are very separate so we won't see much of each as time goes on. This holiday season is going to be strange, mom was the glue that kept us together as a family, now we'll go our own ways and hopefully, create new traditions.

[Helene2013]

Pax,
I hear you on this. Very often parents are the ones who keep us together. My parents and hubby parents are gone so there is really nothing much left to "celebrate". Very often, it is just the 2 of us and we're fine with it. The hardest holiday I think is Xmas and New year's eve. Other than that, I don't care much for holidays. Thanksgiving in Canada goes unnoticed for most of us, at least those I know, in Canada. So yep. We need to be creative in our own ways.

[Pax]

I'm thankful Mary and I will get to spend xmas/new years/ and our 25th anniversary at our new place in FL. Seems like a good way to get some new traditions started!