Hi there! How’s it going? I really missed this clever, humorous community, and I’m thrilled to catch up. We have some exciting posts lined up this month, and meanwhile, here are a few glimpses from the holiday, if you’d like to take a peek…
We celebrated Christmas in Brooklyn this year — with the boys and me, naturally, plus my dad, my aunt Lulu, and our cousin Jimmy. We lit many candles and indulged in lots of delicious treats. (“I’m kind of obsessed with mandarins,” Toby remarked.)
The first adventure for the holidays is always driving around to see the lights in the Dyker Heights area of Brooklyn. Can you imagine moving there in the summer and suddenly discovering what a Christmas wonderland it becomes? People sell hot cocoa from their garages, and Bing Crosby plays loudly on car radios.
When our family arrived from England, we were over the moon!
Jimmy and Anton were inadvertently matching…
And Lulu immediately started on carrot soup. The more things change, the more they stay the same. xoxo Update: We’re sharing Lulu’s carrot soup recipe on Wednesday, January 14th! xo
We took strolls to the Brooklyn Promenade…
..and stopped by Jane’s Carousel and the nearby ice rink…
…and took in the scenery from The Edge in Manhattan.
On Christmas Eve, we attended church and enjoyed a variety of smelly cheeses.
By the way, how awesome is this olive tray? It was my Christmas present to myself 🙂 I can’t pinpoint the substack design newsletter where I first saw it, but I’ll let you know if I locate it! Update: Found it!
On Christmas morning, the boys went through their stockings. Here’s 12-year-old Anton’s collection. I adored how his list reflected his tweenage phase — with items like a scented pen (youth) and pimple patches (teen).
And, naturally, a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper.
We had a gathering on Christmas Day, since, from my experience, kids often get twitchy from all the excitement by afternoon, and having friends over is perfect to channel that energy.
Also, though long-time readers might find it hard to accept, I’ve genuinely started enjoying cooking. One crowd-pleasing meal for everyone was this simple cheesy beans recipe. I added extra onion for crunch and more crushed red pepper for spice.
The Kalanithi parents; lunch at Hook Fish.
Later, my dad and I headed out to San Francisco to see my sister, her daughter, and her in-laws.
We stayed over at my friend Lena’s gorgeous house, since she and her family were out of town. (They’ll stay at our place in the summer, like a non-simultaneous house swap.) And that cool word art? “When my son Eli was learning to write, he began making large letters on sheets of construction paper,” she notes. “I picked my favorites and arranged them in a big plexiglass frame I bought from Craigslist.”
As per usual, on New Year’s Eve, we visited Paul’s grave. We poured out Champagne for him, and the kids raised a glass with Martinelli’s.
Hope you had a good break and got some downtime! And if not, that’s perfectly fine. As the saying goes, everyone you meet is fighting a battle. Lots of love, as always, and looking forward to a fabulous 2026 together. xoxo
P.S. 11 readers share their joyful moments, and what are you thankful for, big or small?
**Welcoming the New Year: Global Traditions and Celebrations**
The advent of the New Year is a significant event celebrated with exuberance and happiness worldwide. It signifies not just the conclusion of one year, but the commencement of another, brimming with fresh hopes, ambitions, and resolutions. Although the core of the celebration is universal, the customs and traditions differ greatly among diverse cultures, each contributing its distinct essence to the celebrations.
**Historical Perspective**
The New Year celebration dates back to antiquity. The earliest known festivities heralding a new year were in Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. The initial Roman calendar marked March 1 as the start of the new year. It was not until 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, that January 1 became the official beginning of the new year.
**Traditions Worldwide**
1. **Ball Drop in Times Square – USA:**
One of the most iconic New Year celebrations occurs in New York City’s Times Square. Since 1907, the descent of the Times Square Ball has been a highlight, drawing millions of spectators both in person and via broadcast.
2. **Hogmanay – Scotland:**
Scotland’s New Year festivity, known as Hogmanay, is famous for its vigor. Traditions include “first-footing,” where the first visitor to a home after midnight brings gifts and good luck.
3. **Sydney Fireworks – Australia:**
Sydney is one of the initial major cities to welcome the New Year. The city hosts an extraordinary fireworks show over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, witnessed by millions worldwide.
4. **Reveillon – Brazil:**
In Brazil, the New Year’s Eve festivity, known as Reveillon, is characterized by lively celebrations on beaches. People dress in white for good fortune and offer flowers to Yemanjá, the sea goddess.
5. **Oshogatsu – Japan:**
The Japanese New Year, or Oshogatsu, is a period for family gatherings and traditional cuisine. It is customary to clean the home to welcome the New Year and visit shrines to pray for good luck.
6. **La Fête de Saint-Sylvestre – France:**
In France, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a banquet known as Le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre. The meal typically includes champagne and foie gras, and at midnight, people kiss beneath the mistletoe.
7. **Diwali – India:**
Although Diwali is primarily a Hindu festival, it is occasionally linked with the New Year in some regions of India. Celebrations include lighting oil lamps, fireworks, and sharing sweets.
**Contemporary Celebrations**
In modern times, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with gatherings, fireworks, and countdowns. Many people set resolutions, aiming to better different aspects of their lives in the forthcoming year. The rise of technology has also facilitated virtual celebrations, enabling people to connect with loved ones around the world.
**Conclusion**
The celebration of the New Year exemplifies the universal human aspiration to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. Whether through age-old traditions or modern revelries, the start of the New Year is a time of renewal, hope, and joy, uniting individuals across cultures in a worldwide celebration of life and new beginnings.
