Earlier years found us gathering at someone's home after dinner out to wait for midnight. Last year some of us went to a movie after dinner, just to stay up, and the rest of us went home. This year, we were all home by 9pm. Two and a half hours with friends over dinner was great but enough for one night. Yeah, we're older, but wiser :-)
This year was our first gathering at Schnitz Ada Grill and it was a welcome change from Flat River Grill in Lowell with its porch plastic wall enclosure and heat lamps.
One main lesson Roy and I have garnered as we've aged is to not feel obligated to celebrate as Hallmark or "tradition" dictates. We learned that lesson many years ago regarding Christmas and now enjoy a stress-free holiday season. The money we spent on each other is now donated to charity, and we make a point of getting together with friends and family but not necessarily on dictated dates.
Christmas Day was spent with Roy, Matt, and Rachael at a movie and a wonderful Japanese dinner.
We also enjoyed a post-Christmas dinner with Marilyn & Dave at Vitale's,
a dinner with Ed & Joan at the Winchester, and are looking forward
to a Friday night get-together with Rob & Deb:
(photo added 1/3/14)
The best thing about the holiday season for us is doing what we want to (and can) do and not doing what people expect/demand that we do. Seeing family and friends on your own terms during the holidays is a wonderful thing. Christmas decorations? All three of them put away.
Cheers to 2014!
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