*From The Archive* Mixtape: an Eclectic Xmas 12/16/2015

The holidays have always been sticky for me.

I used to dread caroling. (I bet my mom did too. Her name is Carol.)

Have a HOLLY jolly chrisssstttmmaaaasssss.

Ugh.

I’m still a wee bit Scrooge-y.

I hate that the Christmas holiday has encroached on the Fall festivals I so love.

Giftgiving is awesome. Giftbuying…stresses me out.

Organizing get-togethers is probably an unmentioned circle of Hell.

But, with the help of a loving coach, I’m doing my best to embrace the holiday. HOLLYdays, he calls it.

I celebrate Christmas with my family, but my love and I celebrate on the Winter Solstice. We put up the tiny tree, hang the bells, drink cocoa, and exchange gifts. The dogs are forced to wear antlers. And we listen to our kind of music.

It’s not Solstice yet, but I want to share my eclectic holiday tastes in the form of a mixtape. It IS mostly Christmas…with some twists.

May your December be full of things you cherish, and a gentle heart.