Our Holiday Joy List
This time of year, we’re leaning into joy.
For us, that means:
The crunch of snow under our boots on a brisk walk and seeing our breath leave our mouths in puffs of chilly white air.
Rosy cheeks, snowflakes in our eyelashes, and that deep, satisfying tiredness aprés ski, snowy hike, or chilly bike ride — best followed by a delicious beverage.
It’s dressing up in our sparkliest outfits, or choosing not to get out of our pajamas at all.
For Val, it’s also:
The sound of Christmas classics underscored by a hint of hum spinning on the ancient record player.
Fuzzy new socks.
And all-day baking…dessert, anyone?
For Kyla, it’s of course:
Extending Halloween into December through costumed photos with Santa.
Cozy holiday movies like Gremlins and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
And sharing smoked salmon and non-stop charcuterie.
We both agree, it’s also sleeping when we feel like it (we hope you’re lucky enough to have some time off!)
Reveling in that moment when all the prep is finally done and it’s time to relax and have fun.
(We’re still climbing to the festive finish line, but we hope to get there very soon!)
It’s reflecting on the year’s wins and the failures — because let’s be real, that’s how we learn — followed by the hope and excitement that quietly builds for a new calendar year ahead.
Most of all, it’s those simple moments when you catch yourself thinking: this is it.
Being present.
Sharing warmth through food and togetherness.
Letting everything else stand still for a while.
Spending time with friends and family; especially the ones you might not see often.
We hope this list sparks a little joy for your holiday season, too.
As always, it’s our privilege to be part of your community, to share in celebration through story, and to support you in refining what you want to say and how you choose to share it.
Our Holiday Wish For Our Clients and Colleagues
May the new year bring you:
- clarity (to em dash or not to em dash!?),
- refinement (plain language first),
- and just the right amount of razzle dazzle when some extra oomf is called for (or a brainstorm to push your ideas and language; we’re always willing to get a little weird)!
Looking forward to connecting again in 2026,
Val, Kyla & the Writer’s Block Solutions team
Feature photo: Christmas 1961
Ken Berends and Bill Burslem practice a soft-shoe with faculty member Joy Merkel in Santa Claus training class at Santa Claus School, 1961. (Alfred Eisenstaedt / The LIFE Picture Collection)