There is nothing I remember more fondly from my childhood than the period of time between October and January when the normal home decorations were put away and our house was transformed into a holiday wonderland. Among many of the things my mother did exceptionally well, she knew how to do the holidays justice. And, she did it with class, style, and just the right amount of whimsy.

Crafting, costume, and make-up have always been a passion of mine. As a little kid, I recycled pieces of my old dance costumes into fabulous (and also terrifying, now that I think about it) outfits sewn (or even taped) directly onto my Barbie dolls. I modified hairstyles into mo-hawks and colorful cuts, molded clay into tube tops and bathing suits, and created elaborate sets in front of which my dolls could perform (my hutch desk with a light served as the perfect stage). Whether my mother ever knew it, she passed this tradition down to me–first by inspiring it with her own love for holiday costume and design, and then by giving me the freedom to let my own interests take shape. But, more importantly, she went on to support my journey over nearly two decades worth of dance, theatre, and musical performing arts.

I’m not sure if my children will have the same flair for the arts and that is perfectly fine by me. But, I do want them to know the same magic of the holiday season–a magic which is sadly short-lived in such a small window of our lives–where we all can dress up, decorate, and allow ourselves to play, sing, and not take life so seriously for a change.

Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Padmé Amidala, Luke Skywalker (in training)

Our Corgi Ewoks

Dia de los Muertos – Annual Work Halloween Party and Costume Contest, 2nd Place

My little buddy, Darwin. Waiting until the last minute to buy a Christmas tree–tradition that works. Waiting until the last minute to buy a pumpkin before Halloween–SOL.

It took me a few layers of glue to make her eyebrows disappear – “Columbia” in Rocky Horror Picture Show