Holiday Connections…. Sandy Coughlin {Reluctant Entertainer}
I thought I’d do something a little fun for the holidays!! I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some FABULOUS bloggers this past year. Some I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with in person, other’s I’ve gotten to know online. They all feel like long lost sisters!
I thought it would be fun to interview some of them and get inside their heads for the holidays!! So each week thru the holidays I hope you all will help me welcome each of them as we connect for the holidays………
Sandy Coughlin
Reluctant Entertainer
Reluctant Entertainer.com
Sandy is the beautiful mastermind and now published author behind the popular blog Reluctant Entertainer. I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Sandy in Napa with Bush’s Beans. She’s every bit as sweet and hospitable in person as she is on her blog and in her gorgeous book!
Sandy: It’s not better or worse. It’s just different. The “magic” isn’t quite there and there is a more seriousness to the real meaning of Christmas. Kids love to receive gifts, but as they turn into teens it’s beautiful to see their hearts soften and their minds focus more on giving.
Sandy: With teens in the home, working and coming and going with soccer, its hard to gather everyone together so my daughter and I usually put it up. Whoever is home usually pitches in and helps with the ornaments. It’s not a ritual, it’s just fun for whoever is around and of course Christmas music is playing! (We have a fake tree – gasp!)
Sandy: No idea. At this age, we don’t hear much about the “wants.”
Sandy: No.
Sandy: I love the early feelings of Christmas. The feelings of excitement, hope, anticipation. Coming home to a beautiful lit tree, Christmas music playing (we play Pandora a lot in our home!), planning a few dinner parties. I love the connection and intimacy at Christmas with our annual Progressive Dinner where one course is held in our home. Really, it’s a month of beautiful celebration of Christ’s birth.
Sandy: Oh, yes, and our annual Christmas letter that my husband writes every year. It’s not your average “our kids are doing this and that,” kind of letter. It’s funny and meaningful and if we focus on ourselves, it’s done in a light and humerous way.
Sandy: My mother knew how to put on a spread for Christmas. We always had a buffet on Christmas Eve and then a big sit-down dinner on Christmas Day. In our home now we don’t have any certain traditions – we change it up every year and do something different.
Sandy: No.
Sandy: I don’t believe in spending unnecessary money at Christmastime. I have a beautiful collection of tall trees that I may add one to each year. I accent the home with greenery, gold and silver and a touch of red. It’s very simple. I’ve tried to simplify over the years so I don’t drive myself or my family crazy. Last year as I put up the decorations for Christmas, I also filled the back of our car with things to get rid of as I went through the boxes. I’d like to simplify even more this year if possible. I want to focus on my family, friends, and the true meaning – and not stuff!
Sandy: Oh, so many during the holiday season but I can never say no to Pecan Pie or Snowball Cookies. And my favorite treat is delicious chocolate-dipped bacon! A delightful treat, indeed!
Thanks so much for sharing your Holidays with us Sandy!!
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just next week!
I want to thank Julie of Lee Lou Blogs for making the cute Holiday Connections button for me, with design elements from Cathe Holden of Home Grown Logos.
Great interview, LOVE Sandy!!! I like the idea of simplifying. AND, I think we need to send Sandy some cookies for Santa! 😉
that banner is darling, too!
Really lovely interview. I did wonder, did you ever leave out cookies for Santa, or is this something that just went away as they got older?
Cheryl,
What a wonderful interview! Great questions and Sandy answered them so openly and thoughtfully.
Many times interviews can seem like a robot like exchange, but not with this one. I was compelled to keep reading each question and answer.
Great read! Thanks for sharing : )
Oh my – chocolate covered bacon. I want to try this, but the consequences could be… let’s just say “not good.” LOL I love everything Sandy had to share – esp. about filling up the car as you get out decorations and realizing everything you don’t need, or use! I might just be doing that this year!
Beautiful, Sandy. I’m so tired of all the “stuff”, too.
so fun to learn more about Sandy. Her book is gorgeous!
Great interview. I totally agree about simplifying and focusing on the reason for the season.
HI Cheryl! I am BRAND NEW to blogging, I just started my blog 2 nights ago!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop over to see me! I am so nervous about this, cause I have no clue what I am doing:):) Can I ask you a question: how do I put the little box on there where people enter their e-mail address to “suscribe”???? I see you have that and I really want to do that!!!! I have been following Sandy for quite some time, she is GREAT! I am so excited about the holidays coming, I will be posting ALOT!!!! XO, Pinky
Fun interview! I never thought about not wrapping gifts from Santa! It is so fun to hear about other people’s holiday traditions!
Oh, my, sister, thanks for the feature today. It’s going to be a FUN series on your blog the next month or so! 🙂
Love your new Holiday Connections feature and enjoyed meeting Sandy Coughlin. So often we can get caught up in the marketing hype around Christmas and it’s important to remember that the season is about true giving…of yourself to others, not stuff. Downsize on the tangible, upsize on the intangible 🙂
Looking forward to your next installment of Holiday Connections.
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What a super fun idea! Love Sandy and enjoyed reading her interview! Looking forward the interviews to come…
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Such a lovely interview!