Holiday Traditions

I celebrate Christmas, so the day after Thanksgiving, I switch the radio over to the holiday station and begin the ritual of getting into the holiday spirit.  I break out the holiday albums and play Pandora on the Los Straightjackets (Holiday) Radio or the Christmas Jazz Radio channel for most of the month of December. 

Besides music, movies are another tradition I like to observe while I fill out my greeting cards adorned with photos of myself, my husband, and my cat (of course!). My favorites are Elf and Bad Santa, but I started this year with The Grinch (2018) and The Santa Chronicles - not near as good as Elf and Bad Santa, but I still have time for those. 

And what would the holidays be without flavorful drinks and treats?  I like to imbibe a Peppermint Martini (2.5 oz. vanilla vodka; 1 oz. peppermint schnapps) or a champagne cocktail (1.5 oz. amaretto; 4 oz. champagne) while making pralines, sausage cheese balls, sugar cookies, or just eating Trader Joe’s Mini Gingerbread Men or Dark Chocolate Mint Stars right out of the box. Cocktails and music also match well with tree trimming. 

Festive activities keep things merry. I always keep my eyes open for fun events and activities to celebrate this time of year.

When I used to travel to Houston for Christmas, my husband and I developed the ritual of having lunch and a brewery tour at Saint Arnold on Christmas Eve. 

One year, I even got to meet Santa!

While in Austin, the Zilker tree of lights is a must-see. 

In Sonoma, we enjoy the Lighting of the Plaza,

the Cornerstone Lighting of the Snowmen,

and driving around town to view all the festive decorations. 

If we get the opportunity, a day or weekend in San Francisco to see the bright lights of the city is in order.

And I’ve saved the best delight for last - holiday reading!  Many authors provide a seasonal novella, short story, or book in their series for Yuletide enjoyment. What are your favorite holiday reads?  If you’re an author, do you have any titles you would like to share?  Let me know in the comments, along with your favorite end-of-year rituals and traditions!

Angela Crider Neary is an attorney by day and writer by night. She is an avid mystery reader and especially enjoys reading novels set in interesting locales. She was inspired to write her first mystery novella, Li'l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos, by one of her favorite areas in San Francisco, Telegraph Hill.  Her second book, Li'l Tom and the Case of the New Year Dragon is now available.  To learn more, visit her on Facebook and Amazon.