A Traditional Holiday

The holidays are full of traditions. Those traditions that we look forward to each year are just one of the many reasons the holidays are so special. As we get older, however, some traditions change or at least evolve. For example, I hav

e always enjoyed Christmas music. When I was little, I wore out several copies of Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Christmas Don’t Be Late on cassette tape. While that’s a great song and I still listen to it when it airs on the radio, my Christmas playlist now includes many selections from Trans Siberian Orchestra, O Holy Night by Heavy-Metal Christian artist Dan Vasc and Skillet’s rendition of O’ Come Emmauel, just to name a few.

Like my musical tastes, my Christmas list has also evolved. I still like to make one right after Thanksgiving as the turkey is still digesting. Now instead of writing to Santa, I make an Amazon wish list and also type it out for the technologically challenged members of my family. The items on the list have changed, as well. The latest Nintendo game or Nerf Gun used to be at the top. Now I would rather have experiences than toys, like spending money for my upcoming trip to the World Cup or eating at the Haitian Restaurant to try something I have never had before. Toys and other things break. Experiences are unforgettable.

The best tradition of the holidays when you get older is being able to give gifts to others. I don’t want them to simply give me a list and have me buy something off of it. That’s too easy. Like my favorite detective, Poirot, I use my Little Gray Cells to gather clues throughout the year to find out what the person might like. I can’t wait till Christmas Morning to find out if my deductions were correct.

Of course, one of the best Christmas presents ever was my Chessie Gabe. He came into my life four years ago and we brought him home just a few weeks before Christmas in 2021. I wanted a name that reflected the time of year, so I chose the name Gabriel (as in the Angel) Noel (as in the First Noel) Conley.

Unlike some members of my family, it’s not hard to figure out what Gabe wants: Plenty of love, hugs and time spent with his people. He also enjoys coming in the house on these cold December nights and sprawling out on my bed. Who needs a weighted blanket when you have an 80-pound Chessie on top of you?

It goes without saying that along with the experiences and adventures, Gabe will have plenty of Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats in his stocking, as he has for the past four years. I don’t have to do any detective work to figure out he loves them and your dog will, too. Check out the website for holiday specials and to learn more about Arin’s mission and the importance of disability inclusion.

I hope you enjoy all of your traditions this holiday season. If they look a little different than they used to, that’s ok. There is no fixed definition of a traditional holiday. As long as you celebrate together, that’s the best tradition of all.