Happy Holidays to our wonderful readers!
The Holidays are one of the most joyful times of the year, but it can also be stressful as calendars are packed and we are busy trying to make the holiday perfect for our families. Add to it restrictions from a pandemic, and parents can be in uncharted territory. My gift to you is this – You are Enough. Anything you do is Enough. Your child doesn’t need the hottest must have toy, he or she needs you, as happy and as whole as you can be. Give yourself the gift of peace this Christmas.
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is getting my extended family together. This year we will be spending the holidays at home without a large get together, so we have plans for zoom calls to make sure we can see all of our loved ones in a safe way this year. If your little ones are missing Grandma or Grandpa, or their favorite aunt or uncle, decorate with their pictures, have them write a letter or draw a picture and send it, or hook them up on a call so they don’t feel as distanced.
In this issue, we have our beautiful cover contest winners – The Brewer Family, with the runners up in the gallery. As always, we have pictures taken by the talented Marina Pierre with Marina’s Photography. Our Book Nook is assembled by former teacher and Palm Coast’s own Debbie Trask. We thank them all for their contributions to the magazine year-round. If you didn’t know, we have a great editorial committee that decides what we cover each issue – we thank the St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia school districts and our parent and industry volunteers for their great guidance and ideas.
We are so proud to live in communities that give back, and Patrick Evans-Hylton has outlined great programs that give back at the holidays. We also have articles on the science of giving, how to take stress out of the holidays and some great gift ideas. We hope you enjoy what we have assembled for you this month.
Happy Holidays!
