I shed glitter instead of skin cells, dusting the sofa, my sweaters, with a fine magical powder. Pine needles dodge the vacuum only to appear later on dinner plates. The postal worker knows us all by first name. And “gettin’ Christmasy” is a state of being.

But my daughter, Aila, feels the same way about festivities as I do about traveling: that both are unavoidable expressions of joy, meant to be embraced and shared. And that celebrating holidays with kids – much like traveling with kids – should be stamped onto the yearly calendar as often as possible…

Enthusiasm is born in a bit of planning, and grows into a physical feeling that sits somewhere in your stomach – above Nerves, and right next to Youthful Bliss.

Hope dawns brilliantly with each new day. “Is it time? Is this the moment our preparations turn into the real thing?”

A thousand other questions follow. Literally. A thousand. About everything…

Of course, you go overboard – shopping, packing, organizing (and explaining) – only to find that the simplest ideas are the ones most appreciated by all.

Fussiness morphs into flexibility. You’re so keen to experience new things, every taste and activity becomes a treat.

Exuberant behavior (singing at the top of your lungs; a late glass of wine) is excused with the motto, “After all, it’s a holiday!”

Gifts and souvenirs are typically handmade.

Introducing your children to the magic of the world, you can do all the cheesy fun things that you felt too ‘grown-up’ to do before.

Memories and traditions are created with astonishing speed, then cherished forever.

Happy holidays from our nomadic family to yours – wherever in the world this finds you!