Loulou's views

It's December, and holiday preparations are in full swing. Right now, I'm busy getting ready for the festive season and all the holiday parties by shopping for the perfect gifts for my family and friends. I'm also getting excited thinking about all the delicious food we'll be enjoying around the table at Christmas. (I'm being extremely careful right now so I can indulge over the holidays without feeling guilty!) I love this time of year and all the holiday traditions that have come to mean so much to me—decorating the house and the tree with my children while listening to Christmas music, watching our favourite holiday movies (like Elf and Home Alone) and taking walks after dinner to look at all the festive lights in our neighbourhood. December is one of my favourite months, and it's also the busiest shopping month—and even though I love to shop, (a lot!) things can get very expensive if I'm not careful. This year I'm determined to stick to a budge...

Christmas Eve has always been my favourite night of the year, ever since I was a child. It's a night that's filled with traditions and it always make me feel nostalgic. We gather at my parent's house, sit in front of the fireplace by the Christmas tree, and talk the night away. Of course, in between all the talking there is also plenty of eating, (Greek style, of course) drinking, (I love red wine) and laughing, as we reminisce about holidays past. While the adults talk, the children play and watch their favourite holiday movies—usually Home Alone and Elf, on repeat— as they anxiously wait to open their presents. Our memories are happy ones that make us laugh, as we remember stories we'll never forget—like that one Christmas Eve we had unexpected visitors at my parent's house. No, not Santa, but the nice folks from the fire department! A few years ago, my son was taking a nap at my parent's house, and when he woke up, his leg was stuck in the crib...