As we enter this hectic holiday season, I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone when I say the holidays can stress me out. There are gifts to pick, packages to wrap, cards to mail, casseroles to cook, family gatherings to plan and so much more. But as tense as I can get over every one of these details, I can’t imagine it any other way.
Brian Tietz
As one of five girls, my family was large, loud, fun and frustrating, and as we approach another holiday, and the family continues to grow, I think of my parents and how they always made this time of year special. Today, miles may separate me from some of my sisters, but I’m so thankful for the memories my mother and father provided and the bond we have to this day.
Our childhood was also filled with plenty of presents. Each year the floor would be littered with ripped wrapping paper, and opened packages would fill the entire room. It was important to me to pass along this tradition to my children. I would painstakingly pick the equal number of gifts for each child so none would feel less important than the other.
You never know if that one gift will make an impact. In this month’s holiday issue, we take the stress out of this annual gift-giving season by sharing a selection of ideas, some over-the-top and some just right, for everyone on your list — your foodie friend, adventure-seeking dad, sophisticated co-worker, difficult-to-shop-for partner and many more.
As we close out 2018, I’m also very thankful to my talented magazine team: Lindi Daywalt-Feazel, whose creative art direction makes the words and photos come alive on the page and online; thankful for Dennis Wright, who expertly marries the content to the robust advertising we offer and whose calm demeanor gets us through plenty of hectic deadlines; thankful for Nicole Holey and others in the advertising department who work to meet the needs of so many; thankful for Pam Hayford, who along with her main role as Southwest Florida Parent and Child editor serves as associate editor helping to edit copy and write last-minute captions for Grandeur.
This season, and always, I’m grateful to all those past, present and future traditions that carry me through my life, and I’m also grateful for the individuals who stand beside me each and every day. Whether it’s my beloved family and friends or my dedicated magazine staff, I sincerely hope you get what you want this holiday season. I already have.
I wish you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year, too.