Here is an illustration that I just did for the December issue of Main Line Today. The article describes how the stress of the holidays - deadlines, shopping, forced-fun holiday work functions, family events etc. can actually make you question whether or not you are really enjoying your time spent together.
I thought a fun take on the story would be to show the "The Family Holiday Dinner", with many of the different personalities that might be in attendance. There are the misbehaving children, disengaged surly teenagers, the wine snob relative who knows everything, the relative who always starts a political rant, the annoyed relative who doesn't want to be there in the first place, the host who is just trying to make everyone happy and good old grandma, just smiling and taking it all in.
Personally, I really do enjoy the holidays. I love seeing friends and getting together with family who live far away. I like the decorations, the parties, the food, giving and (of course!) receiving gifts! I know that there will always be snafus with the whirlwind of activity that can get annoying and understand that some people really do not enjoy the season because of any list of reasons. Anyway, I hope that you all have a good holiday. Or at least fake having a good one. Or maybe just fly off to Anguilla and avoid the whole thing! :)
PS - I was definitely the disengaged surly teenager. Happy Holidays!