Home for the Holidays

Growing up in large families Erik is one of six children and I am the third of four, the holidays have always been a special time for us as we know are for so many people, no matter what tradition you celebrate. Having relocated to Boston and finding careers in real estate we often give a lot of thought to the idea of “home” and this time of the year, “home for the holidays.” What does it mean to us and also curious to know what it means to you : ) That phrase has a different meaning for nearly everyone. Is it a place, a house, a town, or something more intangible like a place in our hearts or a feeling.  

Of course, since we spend so much time online, the first stop is Google!  Not Surprising you get pages of references to the 1995 movie with a star studded cast with Robert Downey Jr., Holly Hunter & now deceased, Anne Bancroft. Hopefully this movie doesn’t reflect the dynamics of your family but maybe it is so funny and thought provoking because, in one way or another, we all have similar experiences navigating the dynamics of the relationships with the people that mean the most to us, our families. 

We asked the team for some thoughts and Neathery said it means pajama days, pots full of savory stewing things,  cookie sheets full of baking sweetnesses, family stories and movies, crafts, games, puzzles, karaoke, and warm relaxing moments inside, safe from the cold temps outside.

Brook said it means being with my family & friends. Home is where my loved ones are and spending time with them means more than anything to me! 

Ruben added that it means nostalgia, great food and a light sprinkling of family drama!

For Erik and I, being midwestern natives with both of our extended families mostly in Illinois, Home for the Holidays means a trip back to visit family and friends in the cities of Joliet & Jacksonville. At the same time we have always enjoyed the company of the community we have built in Boston and have often skipped the frenzy of traveling during this time of the year so we could enjoy what we felt was an old fashioned Christmas in our Victorian home and hosting parties that we originally billed as the Christmas party for our Jewish friends. Nothing was more fun than finding a ten foot tree to drip with lights and ornaments collected over the years. A nostalgic “walk down memory lane” which I LOVE! This helped us to create our “home for the holiday” traditions much to the disappointment of our families who would ask, “are you coming home for the holidays” which elicited a response, “we are home, would you like to join us?!” I guess this is growing up for all of us. Creating our own homes and traditions. 

We hope that whatever “home for the holidays” means to you, you are surrounded by people you love in a place you want to be, as we bring back the light and all the opportunity and adventure of a New Year

Randal & Erik.