Letter from the editor
Christmas often comes with high expectations – visions of perfectly wrapped gifts, flawless family photos, the table set just right and laughter from our loved ones. I dream of this in the weeks leading up to Christmas as I watch endless video clips of clever decorating ideas and picturesque charcuterie boards and table settings. But who am I kidding? That’s not real life.
When my family comes together, plans change. Schedules clash. My adult children have lives of their own. Old dynamics resurface. Bickering erupts, and suddenly my “perfect” Christmas starts to feel like a disaster. What I’ve learned, though, is that the lack of perfection is exactly what makes family time meaningful. We’re all a little messy. No family is flawless. How we respond in those moments — with patience, humor, or grace — can make all the difference.
That may be why National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation remains my all-time favorite Christmas movie. Nothing goes as planned. Expectations are shattered in classic Chevy Chase fashion. And yet, beneath all the chaos, there is love — imperfect, enduring, and very real. It’s a reminder that connection matters more than control.
Christmas, at its core, is about togetherness. Sometimes we arrive tired or overwhelmed. Sometimes we carry grief alongside joy. Sometimes there are empty chairs at the table, or memories that feel closer this time of year. If that’s you, please know you’re not alone. It’s okay if your holiday looks different than it once did. It’s okay if it’s quieter, simpler, or a little messy. The spirit of the holiday doesn’t come from how everything looks; it comes from how deeply we feel and how gently we hold one another.
As I get older, I see more clearly that the true joy of Christmas is found in giving the invisible gifts— time, patience, understanding, and love. It’s about reaching out, even when it’s uncomfortable, and choosing connection over expectation.
I hope you give yourself permission to let go of the pressure. Let the house be lived in. Let the schedule bend. Let joy arrive in unexpected ways. Celebrate what is, not what you think it should be. Real life is not perfect.
On behalf of all of us at Shore Local, thank you for welcoming us into your homes and your hearts throughout the year. Thank you for supporting local stories, local businesses, and the people who make our community so special.
Wishing you peace, warmth, and moments that matter this Christmas — just as it is.
Peace & Love, Cindy
