During the holidays, we come together with family, especially those who live outside of our local zone. Some gather around the dinner table, others around the Christmas tree, but we all spend what we hope is quality time together. Too often, we get caught up in the daily distractions of our lives, neglecting quality time with those we love, be they friends, family, or fur babies. Who or what doesn’t matter as much as the quality of our interaction with them. It’s about quality versus quantity. I think it’s better to have focused quality time than to spend a lot of time but not really “be” there.
Yesterday, my sister, niece, and I went to a birthday party for a friend of my niece’s. In other words, it was a children’s party. It was one of the best children’s parties I’ve been to, and yes, I’ve been to a few. It was held at a stable where the kids could ride horses and pet mules, donkeys, horses, and dogs. There were bouncy houses, pizza, sodas, juice, cupcakes, and cake. While there, after petting as many horses as I could find (I love horses), I did my normal people-watching. I observed as much as possible during the party, and I have to say, the kids were having a fabulous time, but only a few of the parents were truly “present.” As I looked around, some of the parents were on their phones, staring into the distance, or deep in conversation. Few were with their children. To me, this is more quantity than quality.
This brings me to Christmas and how this time of year is supposed to be about quality time. If you can spend time with loved ones, make it special. In truth, we are never promised to wake up tomorrow, so today, while in the company of loved ones, we might want to make it the best we can. Quality can be as simple as playing a game together at the same table. We play several computer games together several times a week, even when in separate states. Quality can also mean having a meaningful conversation or watching a movie together. We will be having a Christmas movie marathon this week. Not on our phones, but sitting together on the couch watching movies. When I visit, my sister and I will often sit and watch shows together, or we will have fun shopping, talking, and goofing off. I wish we lived closer to each other. This is my first time ever having Christmas together—ever. We are excited in a calm way but excited all the same. This year will be meaningful in several ways: first Christmas with my sister, my niece, and my nephew. My sweetheart and I are spending the holidays with my family. Don’t get me wrong, I love his family dearly and wish we could all be together, but I am thankful to be with my family this year.
As I stated earlier, we are not promised tomorrow. Not to sound morbid, but with the health issues I’ve had, I’m learning that I want to make the most of each moment, especially with loved ones. Time is precious!
With this, I leave you with hugs, love, laughter, and blessings. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
We are Creatively Unlimited! 
My dear—time is the only currency I’ve never been able to corner. You can hoard it, squander it, or scroll straight through it, but you can’t buy more. Quality time, now—that’s blue-chip stock. Steady returns. Compounds quietly.
Those parents at the party? Long on presence, short on attention. A poor allocation. The children, meanwhile, were riding horses and living richly in the moment—sound investors, every one of them.
This Christmas you’re doing it right: phones down, hearts up, couches shared, movies watched shoulder-to-shoulder. That’s not sentimental fluff; that’s wealth management. And with health reminding us the clock is not sentimental, your instinct is impeccable.
So hug hard. Laugh loud. Sit close. Measure this season not in hours logged, but in moments that linger. In my ledger, that’s a holiday that pays dividends forever. 🎄💛
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