Well-Adjusted: The Gift of Holiday Traditions

The holiday season has a way of creeping up on us. One moment we’re admiring the last of the fall colors, and the next we’re knee-deep in to-do lists, gift wrapping, and blinking lights. It’s a season meant for connection, but it can easily become one of exhaustion. This year, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to protect our mental health by slowing down and savoring the moments that really matter.

Working hard is a beautiful thing — it gives life structure and purpose. But there’s a balance between doing and being, between striving and enjoying. The holidays give us permission to lean into that slower rhythm, to remember that joy, laughter, and togetherness are just as vital to our well-being as any wellness routine or treatment plan.

Traditions are a simple yet powerful way to nurture that balance. They give shape to our celebrations, creating familiar moments that anchor us across generations. When we take the time to make special memories with our children, we’re not just filling their childhoods with magic — we’re planting seeds for the future. Someday, we’ll find ourselves circling back to those same moments with grandkids in tow, smiling as they giggle through the same family games or reach for the same favorite cookie.

For years, our family would pack up and travel back to the Midwest for the holidays. It was wonderful — full of familiar faces and snowy roads — but it was also a lot. As our family grew, we began to create our own Oregon traditions. Some of them have stuck, others have come and gone, but all of them have brought us joy. We’ve had years of pumpkin bowling, cutting down our Christmas tree at Frog Lake, and doing our “trip around the table,” where everyone shares what they’re thankful for that year.

And of course, there’s always something special baking in the kitchen. For me, it’s my grandma’s Swedish Kringle — a flaky, almond-scented pastry that instantly transports me back to her cozy farmhouse kitchen. The smell alone feels like home.

So this season, take a breath. Step away from the endless tasks, even if just for a moment, and create something that lasts longer than any present. Make memories, bake something from the heart, laugh until your cheeks hurt. Those are the gifts that never fade — and the ones our families will cherish for generations.

G’ma Charmeon’s Swedish Kringle

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Combine:

   1. 1 cup flour

   2. 1/2 cup butter

   3. 1 tbsp water

3. Mix and pat on cookie sheet in 2 strips and bake 10 min.

4. Meanwhile bring to boil:

   1. 1 cup water

   2. 1/2 cup butter

   3. 1 cup flour

5. Beat until smooth - continue to cook and add 3 eggs while beating. Add 1 tsp almond extract.

6. Spread mixture over the 2 crusts and bake until crust starts to brown, 20–30 min.

7. Cool then frost with:

   1. 1 cup powdered sugar

   2. 1 tsp butter

   3. Add enough cream (or whole milk) to beat and spread. 

   4. Add 1 tsp almond extract

8. Sprinkle with shaved almonds 

Enjoy!