Nancy O'Dell, host of Access Hollywood, shares her favorite holiday memories, and reminds us to focus on what's really important.
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At this time of year, I am so looking forward to spending the holidays with my family. I am excited about the festivities, the holiday music and giving myself the excuse to eat all those wonderful holiday meals. But what I am most looking forward to is spending time with my two step-sons, Tyler and Carson, and my 17-month-old daughter, Ashby. The reason I am so excited about spending the holidays with the kids is based on my own experiences as a young girl.
As I reflect on the memories I want to impart on my daughter and stepsons around the holidays, I see how the holidays have changed. Our commercialized world tells children that it's all about the newest electronic device, toy or game—the "must-have" items. However, the devices, toys and games are not what I remember about my holidays as a child. My warmest, most comforting memories are of sitting around the fireplace, Christmas music playing, caroling with my mom, dad and sister, watching Christmas movies or TV shows, and getting together with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. These memories have nothing to do with what I received as gifts, and are mostly about who I was with and what we did.
So, as I plan my holiday time and feel the excitement building around my favorite time of year, I will focus on instilling the very same kinds of memories and feelings in Tyler, Carson and Ashby that were instilled in me as a child. No, I won't go buy all the new devices, games or toys. Those things eventually get lost, put away or are no longer the "must have" item (which often means they end up in the garage or trash). These things won't last a lifetime.
Instead, we'll decorate the house, listen to Christmas music, make cookies, watch "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and enjoy each other's company. I will do everything I can to give them the holidays I had—ones that are full of fond memories, warm feelings and recollections they can share with their children. It will be those memories that will last a lifetime.
So, as we all go into a holiday season that coincides with a very difficult economic time, I would ask that we all reflect on what it is about the holidays we love. What is it about the holidays that bring out the little child in all of us? Capture that and keep in mind the true meaning of the season. Make a memorable holiday for less:
Watch Nancy on Today:
At this time of year, I am so looking forward to spending the holidays with my family. I am excited about the festivities, the holiday music and giving myself the excuse to eat all those wonderful holiday meals. But what I am most looking forward to is spending time with my two step-sons, Tyler and Carson, and my 17-month-old daughter, Ashby. The reason I am so excited about spending the holidays with the kids is based on my own experiences as a young girl.
As I reflect on the memories I want to impart on my daughter and stepsons around the holidays, I see how the holidays have changed. Our commercialized world tells children that it's all about the newest electronic device, toy or game—the "must-have" items. However, the devices, toys and games are not what I remember about my holidays as a child. My warmest, most comforting memories are of sitting around the fireplace, Christmas music playing, caroling with my mom, dad and sister, watching Christmas movies or TV shows, and getting together with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. These memories have nothing to do with what I received as gifts, and are mostly about who I was with and what we did.
So, as I plan my holiday time and feel the excitement building around my favorite time of year, I will focus on instilling the very same kinds of memories and feelings in Tyler, Carson and Ashby that were instilled in me as a child. No, I won't go buy all the new devices, games or toys. Those things eventually get lost, put away or are no longer the "must have" item (which often means they end up in the garage or trash). These things won't last a lifetime.
Instead, we'll decorate the house, listen to Christmas music, make cookies, watch "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and enjoy each other's company. I will do everything I can to give them the holidays I had—ones that are full of fond memories, warm feelings and recollections they can share with their children. It will be those memories that will last a lifetime.
So, as we all go into a holiday season that coincides with a very difficult economic time, I would ask that we all reflect on what it is about the holidays we love. What is it about the holidays that bring out the little child in all of us? Capture that and keep in mind the true meaning of the season. Make a memorable holiday for less:
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