🎅❄️🎄December Funletter

🎅 It's all very Merry!

I’m in just as much disbelief as the rest of you that it’s already the first weekend of December. Somehow, we blinked and the entire fall season fast-forwarded straight into twinkle lights and holiday chaos.

And even one week in, the holiday stress is creeping in - like that paleo eggnog creamer that somehow ends up in your cart every year, even though it’s never actually good, but you convince yourself it’s festive. So I am daily reminding myself to slow down and actually enjoy this season of life—one that’s hard and busy and overwhelming, but also completely magical.

Chicago has so many holiday events, and I’m always trying to sort out what’s actually special versus what feels like a grifty pop-up. (You can see my curated holiday weekend itinerary here.) This year we added a few new traditions: Morton Arboretum Lights—which completely exceeded expectations and was short, sweet, and perfect for littles—and a trip to historic Long Grove for their tree-lighting festival. We also kicked off the season at our favorite neighborhood pizza spot, which transforms into Little Nero’s for the holidays.

Like so many parents, I feel the pressure to make every moment Instagram-worthy—to collect as many sparkly “core memories” as possible. But the truth is, my kids mostly want one thing: our undivided attention with our phones put away. So that’s the tradition I’m committing to. No matter how many holiday events we check off, each kid gets a 1:1 parent date. I’m already excited to see what they choose each year.

For now, I’ve planned “mom and me” dates based on what I know they’ll actually enjoy—letting myself off the hook for things that aren’t right for this season. My first grader and I are going to the Nutcracker and then to a festive dinner at JoJo’s Shake Bar. With my three-year-old, we’re heading to the North Shore for the Town & Oak Home Alone popup (our kids discovered the movies this year and are obsessed) and then up to Lake Forest for a holiday craft workshop at Lucy & Lolly’s Whimsy Workshop.

We also just got back from Thanksgiving in Kohler, Wisconsin—our first time not hosting in our home. I had mixed feelings going into it, but I was honestly surprised by how much we loved it. I’m sharing my full (and completely honest) review below.