I know it's hard not to get caught up in, "I'd better get the latest Wii game or Billy will be disappointed" or "Let me try just one more store to get Aunt Bertha the snowman sweatshirt she'll never wear," but at the end of the day, when the holidays are over, the memories you will most treasure will probably not be those.  They will be the ones with Billy laughing until his sides hurt because you were playing with him and of Aunt Bertha thanking you again for listening so intently to her story about her bridge club winning the regionals. So for the next month, I invite you to savor these times of togetherness by being fully present in each moment with your friends, family and loved ones. I've given you some ideas to try out but feel free to conjure up some of your own.     
 

Ask one older family member, friend or loved one to tell you a story about their childhood.
 
Take fifteen minutes each day to reflect on your favorite memories of last year and look ahead to what you would like to accomplish in the new year.
 
Play a game with a child while doing nothing else.
 
Take a walk with a friend, family member or loved one.
 
If someone starts to tell you a story and you are doing something else, put down everything you are doing and listen to that person.
  
Call someone you haven't talked to in ages but miss.
 
Share your gratitude with your friends, family members and loved ones by telling them why you are grateful for them.
 
Take ten minutes each day to write in a journal about what is most important to you.

 
Read a book with a child, making voices for all the characters.