A VIE Christmas Story

A VIE Christmas Story

The holidays are upon us, and every year, I reminisce that it is truly my favorite time of year. I have joked that one reason I love it so much is we all seem to be able to take a collective breath with time off to enjoy the season and enjoy life! This is one of the many reasons I welcome the holidays with open arms, but it’s not the only one. I feel happy and grateful for all I have been blessed with and even think about things that didn’t go as well as I had hoped each year, but it’s all part of the DNA of life. At the end of the year, no matter the ups and downs, if you have your health, friends, and family, you are rich beyond measure.

Preparing for holiday festivities might include trying a new pumpkin pie recipe this year, finding stocking stuffers, making plans, figuring out the menu and who is cooking what with my sister-in-law Renee, shopping for other gifts, thinking about which wrapping paper to use for different presents, and decorating the tree. It all soothes my soul, reminding me of times gone by when I was young and how my mom did these things for us when we were children and even after we became adults. Nostalgia. It’s a big thing for me. I love all things from yesteryear, and I’m not sure why, but I think it has a lot to do with how it makes me feel. It just feels good. Having a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows atop it while watching It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed gives me all the feels.

Gerald and Lisa Marie Burwell with Sucre Burwell at VIE’s Logan Lane Holiday Block Party in 2018, benefiting The Sonder Project | Photo by Brenna Kneiss

I actually believe you can see and feel a spirit of nostalgia in the pages of VIE that embodies the ethos of this issue; it feels old-fashioned to me in the best sense possible. To capture that, our cover artist from Italy, Fabiola González (@ohkeidea), created a magical work of art to celebrate a whimsical and fanciful depiction of Christmastime.

To help with unique present ideas and treasured finds, we have curated an extensive holiday gift guide in C’est la VIE, which has become a Christmas tradition of our own these past several years. Check it out, but also remember to buy from local shops and establishments so we can all support our respective communities.

Additionally, check out new dishes to try in “The Holiday Table: Festive Recipes for Every Occasion,” which will surely become a new tradition for our future holiday issues.

And because Christmas is also the reason for the season, I pause to give thanks that this is our savior’s birthday, and it’s a time of rejoicing and honoring Jesus!

For to us, a child is born; to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to All,

—Lisa Marie Burwell

CEO/Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director

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