It’s the day after Christmas, and here in the Mason household, it’s much more important than Christmas. It’s my wife’s birthday. And for me, that matters so much more. In the nearly 30 years we’ve been together, I’ve tried my best to make sure that it’s a day about her, not just a day of…
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As I get older, the Christmas holiday becomes a nostalgic time. And that’s not a bad thing. I remember when I couldn’t wait to see what Santa left me under the tree. For the most part, I usually only remember the good times. Fortunately, there weren’t that many bad ones. The other day, my wife…
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We all have holiday traditions. Years ago, my wife’s family had one where all the kids could open up one present on Christmas Eve. And somehow, each gift they opened was new pajamas. This didn’t happen just once; it happened year after year. With new pj’s, the pictures on Christmas morning always looked good. She…
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The other day, I was driving to work and saw my first set of car antlers for this holiday season. I’ve always wondered why people want to decorate their vehicles for Christmas. Sure, they can be cute, but they’re actually just silly. Over the last decade, I would see dozens of cars, if not more,…
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The holidays are upon us, and for kids of all ages, there are a few special treats usually found only during the holiday season. Reindeer corn, peppermint bark, ribbon candy, and cherry cordials are some of the most popular Christmas candy we see yearly. Some of these are beloved, while others are barely tolerated. Some…
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This week, a song released 65 years ago finally hit the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. No, it hasn’t been a long, slow climb; it’s been seasonal. Every December for the last 65+ years, Brenda Lee’s signature tune, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, has reappeared on the music charts. While Christmas songs…
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This time of year, people are lighting up the neighborhood with Christmas lights everywhere you look. And every year, these holiday displays are getting more ornate. It’s more than hanging a few wreaths and several strands of lights. Americans are acting more like Clark Griswold every day. We’re not only trying to outshine our neighbors,…
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This year, I’ve noticed more people on social media claim that they don’t like candy canes. Some have even compared them to how they feel about candy corn around Halloween. I’ve always enjoyed them, but I’m a traditionalist preferring the red and white ones…
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Many special treats only show up around this time of year. One of my favorites goes by a few different names, but many simply call it chocolate bark. It often combines chocolate and peppermint. Although, some people opt for toffee or peanut butter rather than peppermint. It’s not something I see very often, but when…
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The other day in a team meeting, we tackled a team-building exercise. Our topic was holiday traditions. Since we have offices worldwide, it was interesting to hear what some people did for the holidays. But for me, it was a big challenge. I realized that growing up, my family didn’t create any traditions, and I…
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