By Emily Schilling
No other holiday inspires the traditions that Christmas does. We all seem to have our own must-do’s: like hanging special ornaments on the tree, watching favorite holiday movies, enjoying a special child’s Christmas concert, attending the Christmas Eve service at church, or “adopting” a needy family and ensuring its Christmas is happy.
When our lives are busy and the holiday hustle and bustle threaten to extinguish our Christmas spirit, immersing ourselves in yuletide traditions is like salve to the soul. That time — however short — reminds us what Christmas is all about and allows us to make new memories and perhaps create new traditions for the family and friends with whom we share our time.
In this issue, Electric Consumer staff members give you a glimpse of their Christmas traditions. Senior Editor Richard G. Biever, Senior Communications Specialist Holly Huffman, Communications Specialist Ellie Price and I contributed some of our favorite holiday recipes to the Food Focus section. Of course, we had to prepare our specialties so they could be photographed, and afterward, well, we couldn’t let the food go to waste! It was an early Christmas dinner for us! Consider our favorite recipes our gift to you. We hope you like them!
This issue also contains profiles of this year’s Youth Power and Hope Awards winners. These students are giving back to their communities in so many significant ways. They are shining examples of how one person can significantly impact those around him or her.
While we’re on the subject of giving, as in years past, I’d like to surprise one lucky reader with a Christmas gift. This year’s gift is one of my favorite Christmas movies, “The Polar Express.” For a chance to win, go to our website, electricconsumer.org, and under the “Talk to Us” tab, click on “Enter a Contest.” Type in “Believe” in the subject line and include your name and email address. You can also email me at ec@electricconsumer.org with the subject line “Believe.”
This Christmas, be sure to make some special memories with those you love!
Emily Schilling is the editor of Electric Consumer.
