Surviving the holidays really comes down to one thing. A really good holidays-only recipe.
And for me, it’s my made-from-scratch egg nog.
I’ll get to the egg nog recipe in just a minute. Promise.
First, I have a question for you.
When you think about the holidays, what’s the first feeling that arrises?
Chances are (as in 80% of you who responded to my Instagram story poll) overwhelm might top the list.
Too many events — at home and school–can fuel a sense that there’s never enough time to do everything.
The abundance of gift-giving, while wonderful, can be overwhelming if your Love Language isn’t Gifts. My Love Language is NOT gifts so selecting gifts for others is a very stressful thing.
I do not look forward to it.
One year, I decided that I didn’t want to buy a single present. Not that I was against them, but the thought of going into a store repulsed me. So I asked Neil and my 13 year-old to do it ALL.
Over the years, I’ve had my good Christmas moments and quite a few bad ones. Like tossing the tree onto the curb on Boxing day because I. Just. Had. Enough.
But here’s the thing. We overwhelm ourselves. It doesn’t happen to us. It happens because we allow it.
We have the power to reduce the number of events attend.
We don’t have to buy presents.
We can celebrate Christmas at home instead of braving traffic, airports and security lines.
We can watch Christmas movies in bed with your besties and no one will care.
The path to simplicity is in a simple word: no.
So, now you know that you CAN control it, do you really want to?
Not me. I really don’t think skipping Christmas is in my DNA. Although on December 26th of most years. I make a blanket statement that this is the last Christmas we shall celebrate in the manner we just did and it’s onto Hawaii next year.
Hawaii has never happened.
I love the craziness, the glitter, the shopping for a sparkly sweater for the Christmas party. I love the food, the over-done turkey and kitchen counter splashed with recipe clippings.
I love bringing out Neil’s Nana’s Peanut Butter Ball recipe for the 28th time and love biting into it each December and being reminded of her.
Yes, it’s crazy.
Yes, I get stressed.
Yes, I over-do it every single year.
Yes, I’m often grouchy.
But I just couldn’t and wouldn’t change it.
If you feel stressed anytime this holiday season, I ask you to go to the grocery store, buy some eggs, whole milk, whipping cream and a bottle of Maker’s Mark and prepare the recipe below.
And you’re welcome.
Should you have some time and wish to watch a replay of my video from two years ago making the egg nog with my friend Jonna, you can watch the facebook Live right HERE.
Do you have a holiday tradition that you MUST do? It would be lovely if you shared it below …
What do you think?
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Julie Soul
December 6, 2019 at 8:37 pm
As I wrote you tonight about a surprise coming your way, and now I’m reading this, I think you forget that often the gifts that we give others are way more than the tangible things that we can wrap. And you are definitely one of the most amazing gift-givers I know, perhaps without knowing it. I’m not sure what my love language is, but there are definitely a few people that I love to spoil. And I wouldn’t change the glitter, the walking under the twinkling lights with my girls, or the chaotic, family gatherings…except I will be upgrading the eggnog this year.
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Patty
December 9, 2019 at 10:48 am
Thank you Julie! You are a gift, too. To so many. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet Sparklettes.
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Wendi Bushehry
December 8, 2019 at 2:51 pm
I make my Christmas cards….every year! except for maybe two
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Katherine Deakins
December 8, 2019 at 4:05 pm
My family – my children, their families and my sister that is single, gather for a Christmas Eve dinner, a tradition that I grew up with! Once or twice we have had to change the time of day to accommodate in-laws, but it is usually in the evening. Afterwards we go to the candlelight service at our church to complete our magical night!! Merry Christmas and thank you for thinking of EVERYTHING from art lessons to life tips!! ?❤️
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Patty
December 9, 2019 at 10:46 am
Awww…this sounds TRULY magical. So wonderful. I just love traditions.
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Marion Entz-Harris
December 9, 2019 at 1:56 am
I love your realness, Patty! I smile and laugh my way through this — especially pretending to have a cooking show comment towards the end. I appreciate you so very much! Happy, crazy, glittery Christmas to you!
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Patty
December 9, 2019 at 10:45 am
Thank you Marion! I do love the holidays, even when it feels crazy! Enjoy yours and have a wonderful Christmas
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Janine
December 9, 2019 at 8:09 am
Thx so much for the encouragement! I needed that….and the eggnog too. 🙂
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Patty
December 9, 2019 at 10:45 am
It’s SOOO good! Enjoy!
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lila
September 29, 2020 at 7:14 am
awsome
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Cathy Nicholls
December 20, 2022 at 12:49 pm
Hi Patty, Thankyou so much for sharing this and for the recipe, I love Egg Nog, yum.
There is no perfect Christmas is there?
I love the sound of Neil’s Nana’s Peanut Butter Ball recipe as well!
Happy Christmas xxxReply