December 2025 in Review
December was exactly what December always is: loud, busy, cozy, exhausting, and over far too quickly. Between school events, holiday traditions, movies on nearly every night, and squeezing in rest wherever I could, the month flew by in a blur of lights, music, and sugar. It wasn’t a productive month in the traditional sense, but it was full.
Highlights
- Holiday concerts: Caleb had two concerts this month: one for the full band and chorus, and another he was specially selected to participate in. Both were great, and it was one of those moments where you just sit there quietly proud.
- Christmas events with the kids: From a Snoopy Christmas craft night at the library to Polar Express movie night at school, to Bingo at the Community Center with my aunt, December was packed with small, cozy events that made the season feel full without being overwhelming.
- Dinner with Santa: Our yearly dinner with Santa at Char Broil with my parents felt like one of those traditions that anchors the season.
- Christmas movies, nonstop: I spent most of the month cramming in as many movies as possible. I had one playing nearly every night, and honestly, that's where a lot of my December energy went. It's one of my favorite yearly rituals and brings me tons of comfort.
- Bowling firsts: Holden went to a classmate’s birthday party at a bowling alley and bowled for the first time ever… and got a spare in his very first frame. Naturally.
- Christmas "baking" + kits: I don't do much baking for the holidays. I bought two different Christmas cookie decorating kits throughout the month though, and Holden was all in. Messy, chaotic, and worth it. Holden also helped me make my annual batch of cracker toffee / Christmas crack for Christmas Eve. We experimented and used Biscoff cookies as the base this year, but I must say, I prefer the traditional Club crackers I usually use.
- Broadway night: My aunt and I saw & Juliet, and it was incredible — funny, emotional, and one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. I really loved the music, including lots of Backstreet Boys, my childhood favorite!
- Time off: I took a few much-needed days off work during Christmas week, which helped slow things down just enough.
- Christmas at home: Christmas Eve and Day were spent at home. Appetizers and my usual buffalo chicken wing dip on Christmas Eve; halal takeout on Christmas Day. Simple and perfect.
- Weather realities: The end of the month brought serious winter weather and advisories. After one rough commute home, I worked from home the next day and did not complain.
- Quiet New Year’s Eve: Another low-key New Year’s Eve at home with the family — a nice dinner, in bed before midnight, exactly how we like it.
📚 What I Read
December was a slow reading month, mostly because nearly every evening was claimed by Christmas movies. I did manage to finish one book.
- The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson ★★★☆☆
🎬 What I Watched
- Hallmark Christmas Movies: As many as humanly possible. Most nights were spent cramming them in until the season officially ended.
- Home Alone: Family movie night at my cousin’s house. The kids had never seen it before and they loved it! They also had fun playing with my cousin's baby... too cute.
- Song Sung Blue: Saw this the day after Christmas with my aunt. Absolutely amazing.
- The Pitt (Season 1): Once Christmas was over, I finally started watching non-holiday content again. I'm about halfway through right now and really enjoying it.
Extras
- Loved: Christmas traditions, the ritual and comfort of my Christmas movies, losing more weight, watching the kids soak up the season, and finally feeling rested by the end of the month.
- Sucked: Winter weather, packed schedules, two migraines, and the bittersweet feeling of ending my Christmas movie season. My beloved Cindy the Baboon also died after Christmas, and that’s really sucked.
- On the Menu: Christmas cookies, halal takeout, appetizers on Christmas Eve, buffalo chicken wing dip, and entirely too much sugar.
- Made Me Laugh: Holden spouting off random YouTube facts to his doctor, Elf on the Shelf kits and shenanigans: candy poop museum, Shrunkin Donuts, and 6 7 cookies.
Coming Up Next Month
- Birthdays: Caleb’s birthday and mine.
- Theater night: Seeing Spamalot with my aunt.
- Community nights: Another Bingo night.
- Health & habits: Hopefully resuming running after a full month off and continuing to lose weight.
- Reading reset: Starting the reading year strong now that Christmas movie season is officially over.
What I Learned
Not every month needs to be productive to be meaningful. Some months are just for showing up, staying warm, and getting through.
So that’s it for me. See you next month.
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