On holidays, lights, consumption and the magic of winter
Growing up in South India, I had no memories of or knew what winter really meant. South India was known for its monsoon season and the heavy rains and winters are mostly mild or nonexistent.
I only knew it through Bollywood movies, where heroines clad in a flimsy chiffon saree and heroes in fluffy sweaters and trench coats danced against snowy mountain backdrops.
When I moved to the US, I experienced snow for the first time when living in our small apartment in Dallas.
It was magical. I was ecstatic to see snowflakes drop from the sky and it felt like stepping into a magical movie scene.
There’s something so special about experiencing something for the first time, especially when it’s better than what you’ve seen on screen.
I captured the moments with my bulky Minolta analog camera and braved the cold for those iconic snowy pictures I had dreamt about all my teen years. Except I was bundled up in layers, wearing my jacket, gloves, and beanie and my hubby refused to dance around with me or carry me in his arms like a Bollywood hero. Nevertheless I felt like a movie heroine.
Now after living in the US pretty much all my adult life, winter has come to mean comfort and warmth for me. It’s about staying in my PJs, sipping chai, snacking on store-bought treats, and reading a good book with jazz playing softly in the background. I love watching the cheesy Xmas movies, cooking meals with my hubby, and taking walks with Coco and exploring the neighborhood when there is a respite from the rains.
Home feels extra special this time of year, with the Christmas tree and string lights creating a cozy glow. I avoid traveling during this time when airports are crowded and flights are delayed—I’d rather enjoy the peace and quiet of my home.
Winter also means gathering with friends for parties, making that one dish I choose from the potluck menu, and savoring moments in the kitchen—slicing onions, frying nuts in ghee, stirring curries, and adjusting the flavors.
My favorite part of this season is indulging in plum cakes (which is a traditional Holiday treat in Kerala, South India -where I hail from) —rich, delicious, soaked in rum and loaded with fruits and nuts and tutti-frutti. While I am not much of a baker, my friends are, and the parties are filled with baked cakes and appetizers.
It’s a season filled with laughter, food, games, gifts, and lots of pictures, from Christmas celebrations to New Year’s Eve. For me, it’s all about being with the people I love.
Driving around the neighborhood is a visual treat, with homes adorned in twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. The cold, wet streets come alive with festive cheer, the homes are sparkling with the colorful lights, and the inflated Santa with his reindeers.
Music fills the air—from coffee shops to malls to homes. It creates such a joyful spirit, as long as you can look past the crowded stores and stressed-out shoppers rushing to complete their gift lists.
Winter is also a time for clearing the clutter at home, setting goals, creating vision boards, and dreaming about what’s to come.
While the world outside feels chaotic, I retreat into my cozy cocoon with my family, hibernating and finding peace. I journal a lot during this season, embracing the beauty of an ordinary, mundane life. Occasionally, I step out to connect with friends and loved ones, but mostly, this season is about turning inward and preparing for the year to come.
The trees stand bare, their branches wilted, with no leaves or flowers to brighten the landscape. I miss the colors of nature, but I understand she needs this time to rest, settle, and gather strength before bursting into life again in spring.
It’s a beautiful reminder that we, too, need to slow down and take a pause—to rest, reflect, and recharge.
But do we?
In the rush of our lives, we often forget to honor these natural rhythms, pushing ourselves to keep going when we should be embracing stillness, just like the Earth does.
I often wonder why people don’t slow down and savor this magical time instead of racing for the best deals.
The crowds and the rush during this season often show how much people overdo things and buy more than they need.
The superficiality of the season can be so troubling. Do kids really need so many gifts?
From white elephant exchanges to endless games, we create an overwhelming amount of waste. The trash cans in the neighborhood, overflowing with packaging and discarded items, are a stark reminder of this excess.
I read somewhere that this time of year generates the most waste—wrapping paper, packaging materials, and more.
This makes me sad:-(
It’s disheartening to see the strain this places on Mother Earth. While she needs rest and renewal, people continue to pile on excess, making it harder for her to heal.
It’s a stark reminder of how we often miss the essence of the season—simplicity, gratitude, and care for each other and our planet. And instead leave behind a trail of waste that lingers far longer than the fleeting joy of these material gifts.
It’s hard not to notice the Amazon trucks constantly driving through the neighborhood, often multiple times a day. I can’t help but wonder if the drivers truly appreciate the season, considering the overtime and the frantic pace they’re working at. Meanwhile, the hurried shoppers seem more focused on ticking off items from their lists, trying to play Santa for their kids, but not always with kindness or patience.
The season feels more about the transaction than the true meaning of giving.
When the house is full of my loved ones, there’s so much work to do, but I choose to let go of perfection. I remind myself that many families are alone or struggling during this season. I say a prayer for them, hoping they find solace in some way.
This time fills me with a deeper sense of gratitude. It’s what keeps me going—appreciating the messy floor as a sign of everyone playing and enjoying themselves. Thank you, God, for these moments, for this love, and for the joy of togetherness.
The endless laundry means we have warm clothes and PJs to keep us comfortable—thank you, God, for that.
The constant dishes and loading and unloading the dishwasher means there are people around me, enjoying the meals I make, and we’re sharing these moments together—thank you, God, for that.
Instead of stressing about my son’s unmade bed, I’m grateful for a family that’s together.
Instead of whining about cooking yet another meal, I take comfort in having a family to cook for—a husband and son who love what I make.
I try to fill my days with appreciation for everything I have, and gratitude for the small moments that make my life so rich instead of focusing on the tasks I need to complete.
I remind myself that I get to do these things, and somewhere, someone is wishing they had the same opportunities.
The lights everywhere add a special magic to this season, making everything feel brighter and sparklier.
Fairy lights, especially, bring a festive charm. In our living room, they stretch across the walls, casting a warm, cozy glow. I love coming down the stairs in the quiet of the morning to see them flickering softly. At night, when all is still, the fairy lights shimmer, and the Christmas tree sparkles, creating a serene and peaceful ambiance.
I love cuddling up with Coco under a thick blanket by the Christmas tree lights, reading a few pages before heading to bed. Before walking into my bedroom, I always pause to take one last look at the twinkling lights—a small, magical moment that fills my heart with joy.
Driving into our neighborhood, I catch glimpses of fairy lights and Christmas trees twinkling outside, and it makes my heart sing “Falalala.”
Candlelight adds such a cozy, peaceful vibe to this season. I love lighting my cinnamon candles when we have guests—it fills the air with warmth and a comforting scent. I also enjoy bringing a few candles as hostess gifts when I visit friends for their Christmas parties, sharing that cozy feeling with them.
One of my favorite moments is sitting on my prayer meditation pillow, with the soft flicker of candlelight around me, chanting my mantras and prayers. The gentle glow of the candles creates the perfect atmosphere to give thanks, and pray that the year ahead is just as beautiful as the previous one.
The lamplights turn on earlier than usual, casting a warm glow on the neighborhood. Walking Coco, I let him sniff around to read his “pee mail,” while I steal a few extra seconds to stand under the lamplight, feeling the cold breeze, watching the dried-out trees, and crunching the leaves beneath my feet. The street is wet from winter rains, and the world feels quieter than usual.
Driveways are fuller than normal, and as I stand under the lamplight, I catch glimpses of neighbors’ homes—families and friends huddled together, laughing with cocktails in hand. Merry truly is this time of year. I can smell the delicious curry drifting from my neighbor’s house, knowing she’s cooking up special meals for her friends. I’m sure I’ll be lucky enough to get some tomorrow. She loves me too well!
The moon glimmers on those dark winter evenings, casting its soft light over the decorations in the neighborhood and the bushes. Driving with the moonroof open, we catch a glimpse of the full moon. No matter how many lights the world has, moonlight holds a special kind of magic.
Even with all the string lights and fairy lights around, the sight of the full moon is breathtaking in its own way. I can’t help but pause for a moment, taking in her beauty.
There are so many lights in the world, but what about the light inside of us? Is it shimmering? Is it sparkly? Is it even glowing?

This is the time we bring out all the lights stored away in garage boxes, dust them off, and let them shine. But what about the light within us? Why not bring that out too and let it shine brighter?
We light up our homes, and the neighborhood with twinkling lights, but I wonder—are we nurturing the light within us? Or are we weighed down by the endless to-do lists, the pressure of holidays, and the looming new year with its goals and expectations?
Why can’t we just let ourselves shine as we are—glorious, shimmery, and still?
Why not let our lights radiate without trying to chase perfection?
What if our inner light could be a beacon for those rushing and struggling to pause and admire the beauty in themselves and the world.
If we let our light shine brightly, maybe it would inspire others to reflect, to shine, and to embrace their magic too.
What if we are the lights? What if our light, when shared, makes the world brighter and better for everyone around us? It’s not just about taking in the lights outside but also honoring the light within.
Smile a little more, show kindness, let someone go ahead of us, give a thoughtful gift—small ways to let our inner light brighten someone’s day.
Maybe this season is a chance to do just that. To make the holidays not just brighter with decorations but warmer with our actions.
Christmas and the holidays don’t have to be about stress, shopping, and ticking items off a list. They can be about shining from within—spreading cheer, kindness, and joy.
Just as we string lights around our homes, let’s remember to share the light within us. Let it sparkle in ways that make the season better, brighter, and merrier for everyone around us.
Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year 2025!
XO

☼ Thanks for making it to the end! I’m so grateful to have you here! I’D love if you support me BY subscribing to my NEWSLETTER of illustrated essays called Sunshine & Chai.
femy