Whip out that wallet...the Holidays are COMING!

Already you say? The holiday season is almost here and I don't care which holiday it IS, they tend to cost a bit of money. Maybe none are up there with Christmas but in the end it all adds up.

So, why am I talking about holidays? Guess I start kind of thinking about it around the first of October. In September most of us are getting into the swing of a new school year and kid activities and...oh yeah...GETTING OUR LIVES BACK. By the time October gets here things have settled down some. I don't know about you, but my kids are already dropping hints about things they might like for Christmas. Christmas???? Okay, kids, lets do Halloween first.

As an adult I feel weird saying this but Halloween is the coolest holiday and I've loved it since I was just a kid and when my little ones got "spooked out" for Trick or Treating, I swear I got as big a kick out of it as they always did. Even now, I have a steady supply of candy corn around the house and my daughter and I have already been discussing what we'll do in the way of decorating this year. I have a spooky mat that I place at the front door and when the kiddos step on it, it howls like a wolf. Also have some cuter than heck pumpkin and ghost candleholders that I set out every year. Most years, I put on a witch hat and black clothes to answer the door to the trick or treaters.

Do ya'll make a big deal out of the holidays and which are your favorite?

Now I know this sounds strange since most claim Christmas as their favorite holiday but I'll say straight up it isn't mine. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas but I don't DO STRESS all that well and I find everything leading up to Christmas a little too much. My favorite holiday is actually Thanksgiving and I'll tell you why: the air is crisp and cool and the scent of home cooked food is in the air. I love to cook and it's become a tradition for my daughter and I to pull out the old family recipes. Naturally, I know them all by heart now but she doesn't and she's still learning about this whole "cooking thing". Every year, the meal I serve is the same because it includes the very favorite dishes of everyone I love. Maybe I love it for the fact that it's not about rushing or gift giving but about family and being together. One nice get-together meal before the rush of Christmas descends. To me, Thanksgiving represents home and comfort and that's why I love it so much.

So what do you do to get ready for the holidays and what are your favorites? Any special holiday memories you'd like to share? Mother Regina would love to hear them.