5 EDITOR ’ S NOTE

8 A CLASSIC COCKTAIL Indulge this season with a Rosemay Cranberry Whiskey Sour .

10 HELPING OTHERS IS HEALING Erica Greene says the best medicine is helping other veterans who have had silimar experiences .

15 BAKE UP A SWEET HOLIDAY TREAT Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season . Cookies are standard .

16 RECOVERY THROUGH ACTION Didier refocused his addiction to living .

22 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Just a few of our favorites to help you find that special gift locally .

26 FIRE SAFETY PROTOCOLS Fire safety is especially important during a time of year when string lights and potentially dried out trees feature so prominently .

28 CHRISTMAS LIGHTING FESTIVAL The inaugrual Christmas Lighting Festival in downtown Huntsville sets the bar for the future .

30 8 EASY HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE IDEAS Premade centerpieces are undeniably attractive , but adding a homespun touch can be a fun creative pursuit and become a family tradition .

Continued from page 3 no reward for suffering .

Overextending yourself , emotionally , physically or financially is the worst way to experience a holiday . The price of food and gas have risen to the point that much smaller meals and staying close to home are a very real aspect of how some people now have to live . There is no shame in that .

Spending more than you can afford to keep up appearances costs more than just money . The anxiety that results is bad for your health and your closest relationships . It can easily lead to resentment and depression . If the thought of spending hundreds on food or tending to a twenty pound turkey is keeping you awake at night , find an alternative . Plenty of places sell cooked turkey and there is no law that states a large bird is mandatory . Something completely out of the box may prove to be a welcome change , especially if you are in charge of the food . The point is to gather and spend time with loved ones . No one can really compete with Martha Stewart , so this holiday season is a good time to stop trying .

Creating a buffet for people to serve themselves at their leisure is a good option for groups that are larger than eight . If you don ’ t have the space , it ’ s ok to ask people to make their plates in the kitchen so you can cut down on dishes you would use to serve family style at the table .

The table will be easier to clear and you can ask young people to help with that . If you ’ ve ever spent two days cooking before and most of a day cleaning up after a family gathering , you understand how exhausting that can be . If you ’ re the host , it ’ s okay to change the dynamic so that you can enjoy the day as much as everyone else .

Kristie Stevens is a freelance writer for Huntsville Living .

Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays !