Welcome to the December 2023 Issue

I don’t know what it is about this time of year that makes me have all the “crafty feels.” As if the season isn’t full enough of To Do Lists, parties to host and attend and all the rest of the holiday hullabaloo.

But making a special seasonal craft can be an ideal way to push pause for a bit and give yourself time to exercise some creative muscles. You might come up with meaningful gifts to give, a craft piece could graduate to being a treasured holiday décor item or you might just have a moment to yourself. (Now, that’s worth a trip to the craft store.) Get inspired with Editorial Advisory Board member Laura Bray’s take on a craft with decidedly vintage vibes.

Creating memories also takes center stage this month as we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays or mark the end of the year. We’ve discussed here before the way in which traditions change as children get older, and the ways in which holidays are celebrated take a shift, too.

Make no mistake, when our children return for the holidays, I go to great lengths to decorate, bake and menu plan to ensure that home feels and tastes like home. But we’re also a group of doers and like to plan activities away from the house to give us a chance to try something new, visit a different area of the Metro and, most importantly, strengthen our family bond that connects us through shared memories and miles that separate us during the rest of the year.

We’re always looking for the next new experience. Are you the same way? For inspiration on how to add a little something extra to this year’s holiday fun, discover some ideas, which were inspired by some of my family’s favorite activities and others offered to us by the editors of our sister publications throughout the Metro.

Be sure to tag us in Instagram at @lakeminnetonkamag with photos of your local holiday adventure.

Enjoy your time together,

-Renée Stewart-Hester