The Magic of Making Memories: Spoke Holiday Writing Challenge Winners

Dear Parents: Give Yourself Permission for the Holidays

By Lauren Lewis

It’s that time of year. You know that I’m talking about.

The holidays. The stress. The presents and movies and so much wrapping. Reaching for that Christmas magic. Clinging to those moments that become memories with your kids…and you’re mentally preparing yourself for all the extra that comes with this season.

Read the rest of Lauren's winning post here.

When the Santa Claus Jig Is Up

By Joan Lowell

Earlier this year, my 10-year-old caught me trying to slip a buck under her pillow while grabbing her tooth, way the heck under her pillow, in the pre-dawn hours when I thought she was still asleep. She kept my secret with the understanding if she told her little brother, the cash-for-teeth deal was over.

Armed with this knowledge, she quickly figured out not only is Mommy the Tooth Fairy, I am also the laundry fairy, the dishes fairy, the cleaning fairy (I actually had my kids—and maybe even my husband—believing in these domestic goddess fairies), the Easter Bunny and so on. You know what’s next: Santa.

Read the rest of Joan's winning post here.

It's Time to Start Making New Holiday Memories

By Angela Jones

There’s a lot of pressure these days to give our kids the perfect holiday filled with memories that will last a lifetime. We have so many traditions now, it’s hard to get them all done each year. Instead of making candy, we bake and decorate cookies. We still put up our tree, but it has a lot more ornaments, lights, ribbon and tinsel than it used to. My daughter was always scared of Santa, so we only have two pictures of her with him and she’s 11 years old.

Read the rest of Angela's winning post here.