Susan Beckett

Our traveling wings may be clipped a bit this year but it’s hard to keep Americans down when they get the travel bug! Pretty much on cue, the holidays found families packing up the kids, the dog, delicious foods, clothes, and gifts, as they visited friends and family.

Apparently, there are some gifts people just can’t live without, and also apparently, this Christmas is providing the perfect venue whereby people can collect on these indispensable items! These are simply the greatest gifts ever and, for a price or via Santa Claus, they could be yours! So what’s trending in 2020 for under-the-Christmas-tree attire?

Some bright bulb once said, “The office Christmas party is an opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen for twenty minutes.” Clever, but it looks like Christmas this year is going to be a tad bit offbeat - like it or not. With all the shutdowns, masks, and “takeout only” going around, people are rethinking enterprising ways to keep Christmas traditions alive! Office parties included! One couple I know is having the husbands annual work Christmas party reinvented.

Well, it’s finally here! We knew it was coming but this year we’ve all just been so busy we haven’t had time to think much about it. Christmas! Finally!! If ever there was a year when this amazing and delightful holiday was needed, it’s 2020!

Several decades ago, when my daughters were in grade school, we drove to Orange County to meet my mother for a day trip to Newport Beach. A “fun in the sun” time would be had by all. We parked along the street and spent a long glorious day in surf and sand.