Happiest of Holidays

It’s the hap, happiest season of all…. Or is it? In all honesty, I’ve never been one for the holidays. The flurry of social events, long to-do lists, and budget concerns often leave me drained of joy and filled with anxiety. Yep, it’s a little embarrassing to sympathize with Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch (are they really that bad?). But like many other women, I put a smile on my face and power through it.

That is… until this year. There must have been a Christmas miracle because dread was replaced with genuine excitement as I shopped, planned, and decorated. Perhaps my heart grew three times in size. Well, I hope not. But for some reason, I was feeling the holiday love.

It was probably a combination of things. First of all, retirement makes a difference. The gift of time tames the manic race against the clock. An early start and forgiving timeline made tasks manageable with minimal stress.

Secondly, grandbabies make everything better. Yes, everything! They are a reminder that pure happiness can be found in empty boxes and wrapping paper (versus the actual gift). Seeing child wonder reflected in their eyes would melt any Grinchy heart.

And finally, with age, comes the realization that holidays are about family. It doesn’t matter if the house is spotless, the meal is perfect, or the gifts cost a bundle. Forget the Hallmark notion of the perfect day and focus on what’s truly important. For me, it’s quality time with loved ones. So, we made sure to add a few family outings to the calendar this year.

We started with December Nights at Balboa Park in San Diego. This event is held once a year for two consecutive nights. It’s a large multicultural celebration that features food, entertainment, crafts, and activities. In addition, many of the park museums offer free admission. This year, we opted to go earlier in the day making the crowds a bit more bearable (highly recommend!). I enjoyed eating Paella from the house of Italy, seeing Santa, and purchasing a knitted cap from the San Diego Center for the Blind (my annual purchase).

December Nights at Balboa Park

The following weekend, we drove to the Hotel Del Coronado to look at the lights and go ice skating. The Hotel Del is an iconic beach resort in San Diego built in 1888. Visitors have include numerous Presidents and movie stars. Films such as “Some like it Hot” and “Stunt Man” were filmed on-site. And, while it was beautiful, there were some downsides. Parking was miserable, crowds intense, and ice skating was out of the question due to congestion. We went on a Saturday night which probably contributed to the craziness. Even so, I’m glad we stopped by this historical treasure.

Hotel Del Coronado

And finally, we visited the San Diego Botanical Garden for “LightScape.” We weren’t sure what to expect but absolutely loved it. Walking through a garden covered with millions of lights was a magical experience. The kiddos were mesmerized; my grandson even said he was “dumbfounded.” The botanical garden is located in Encinitas and includes 37 acres filled with a variety of different plants including a rainforest, bamboo groves, and native landscapes. It’s a perfect place to visit on any day of the year, but the addition of light installations brought the holiday spirit to life. My favorite was the bamboo grove which looked like an enchanted forest. The fire sculptures and light tunnels were also pretty amazing. I can’t wait to go back again next year.

Did I say next year? Yep, already thinking ahead. Perhaps it can be the hap, happiest season after all.