CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sometimes I wonder why we hype up the holidays so much.

Why we spend days and hundreds of dollars making a gourmet meal, when our kids would rather eat Panda Express. Why we spend hours wrapping boxes so our kids can turn the living room into a disaster zone and still inevitably end up disappointed. Why we redecorate our houses to make them holiday-themed, down to the bathroom towels and oven mitts, only to undo it all in January.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the warm, cozy feeling created by Fair Isle sweaters and twinkly lights. Gezellig , the Dutch call the vibe: your home as a bright haven in the long, dark nights.

I treasure the nostalgia of Christmas tree ornaments, tokens of trips and gifts from loved ones. I adore seeing my house decked in tartan and trees. I

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