The last two weeks have been a complete blur.  It started when my mother text to tell me to check my email.  First, we are finally advancing forward in the texting department; a text vs a phone call for simple alerts.  Second, she had just found out that she won a writing contest from Real Simple magazine & the prize was a trip for 2 to NYC to be interviewed on stage.  The email asked if I wanted to go.  Ummmmm………YES!!!  She told me later she heard my squeal all the way across town.

Now I have an older sister who lives in Iowa & my parents have always made sure that we both have the same of everything.  So to be fair on this one, my mother was going to fly my sister in to meet us. Personally, I think that was just a cover to hide the fact that she didn’t want to be frugal or practical on this one.   You see, vacations have always meant driving to see family who live in a very small mid-western town – very small.  It’s not expensive & you’re able remain close with cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc…..fun & efficient.

Some people dread the extended family time.  They even make funny movies about sharing holidays with your extended family and the misery of your time together.  That’s not the case in my family.  We all like each other & have really wonderful memories & traditions. We actually look forward to seeing one another & spending time together.  Fun and memorable, but not NYC.  This meant it would be the first ever family vacation to a location other than to visit family!  We could hardly stand the wait.

A broadway show, Times Square, shopping for friends & family gifts, dinner out, 5th Ave, department store Christmas windows, Tiffany’s, St. Patrick’s Cathedral,Rockefeller Center; all that before our first 24 hours in the city!  We were on the move seeing it all, taking it in & making new holiday memories.

Then a break for my mom to have a L’oreal  makeover in preparation for her big interview by Real Simple, the organizational magazine mecca of the world, at their big holiday event in Bryant Park.  We were giddy with excitement.  This kind of thing doesn’t happen in our conservative, frugal family.  My sister & I filmed every minute of the interview.

Dawn, the Real Simple Food Editor, put my mother at ease so it was just two girlfriends discussing what to serve for a large buffet, testing recipes & sampling the results.  There was one moment when my mother was using the blender that I held my breath until she had the top securely on the blender.  That could have been a catastrophe!

The audience was large for the venue, seemed genuinely entertained by the two & very interested in trying the recipes Dawn was recommending my mother fix for her 13th Annual Widows Christmas Party next sunday night. Overall, a great success.

We were all beaming when the interview was completed.  What a cherished memory we all will share for the rest of our lives.  Our own little private experience that brought us immensely closer together.

That night we went to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.   Still glowing from the days excitement, we laughed and giggled from the moment we stepped in until we left gazing at the beauty of the building and decorations, helping people finally get a picture together and being mesmerized by the spectacular show.  It was Santa during the show that verbalized what we had already been feeling during the first day and a half.  Time spent with loved ones creating memories & sharing in fun activities is what is important this time of year and all year long.  We whole heartily agreed & vowed to continue our newest family tradition.

Take this holiday season to eliminate the unnecessary.  Focus on what your friends & family actually want not what you think they want.  And spend time with them doing something fun to create those special memories that will be shared a life time.  Now that’s a gift that never goes out of style & won’t be re-gifted!