It’s the something-est time of the year!
Caring for People
Christmas 2023 took over my whole month of December, and that’s OK, because the two themes this year have been: Time with my loved ones, and service to others (through community orgs I love.)
I think this is the best case scenario, for grown-ups. I feel Christmas magic around people: my family and friends, of course, and when I feel tied to a community as well.
Especially because I am lucky to have some brilliant, funny people in my life. Ones who bought a home, found that it came with a Clown Themed Room, and kept the clowns:
On one visit we were sharing Japan pictures and hey! I genuinely love this picture of me/us! (I can say that maybe once a decade).
Our first weekend back from Japan was the PAX Unplugged (tabletop game convention). It’s great to attend but this year I was still jetlagged and skipped the PA Convention Center.
But I did meet my crew at Reading Terminal Market for lunch on the way they went to PAX.
And then I took myself to the Fabric Workshop & Museum. Glenn Legon‘s Skin Tight was on display, from the museum’s collection:
My favorite part of this visit was the archives tour! Knowing that I saw this exhibit, Jayson Musson’s His History of Art, made it strange and wonderful to see the pieces packed away until they are exhibited again.
Santa says Shop local! And recommends Collingswood:
Living in Community
After one week away from the job I left, I returned to help with some events as a volunteer. The Fairgrounds ran a fantastic holiday weekend fundraiser for the first time, and it was amazing to see the festivities:
I volunteered a closing shift at Mrs. Claus’s Cookie Shoppe:
Time is always fuzzy at the end of the calendar year, but having two major holidays fall on Mondays is especially odd. During a slower week at work (also only week three at the new job), I volunteered two shifts at a beloved community center.
One day, helping shoppers at the free toy giveaway:
One day, directing traffic at the drive-thru food pantry:
And then … it was the actual holiday! It felt right to go through the house with a fine-toothed comb, cleaning and shaking out the dust right before a new year begins. Setting up some new comforts for guests (and ourselves) has been fun:
^This Christmas Punch was a HIT!
Made shadowboxes of wedding cards to display at home, and shadowboxes of trip memories for my brothers:
Am so thankful for the dope records I got for Crimbo! From someone who knows me well:
We never had a tree-topper, but now we have a Baby Yoda using the Force:
Maybe the best thing I did this autumn was FINALLY get our fireplace serviced, plus a new grate and cover. This is where you will find me until April probably:
Laura Eppinger 