The Week Before Christmas

It's the week before Christmas, and I've been busier than an elf on a double shift. Work was a blur of festivities, volunteer events, girls’ night out, and a family weekend that could’ve used its own itinerary. The office was overflowing with Christmas spirit — and sugar. Desks were decorated, the break room looked like the North Pole’s snack aisle exploded, and even the office chatter felt lighter, probably because everyone was running on equal parts caffeine and candy canes.

Then I spent an evening at a local domestic violence family justice center https://www.branchhousetn.org/, where the holiday magic was just as strong. Santa and Mrs. Claus held court, kids shared their wish lists, “elves” handed out gifts, and doughnuts and chocolate milk flowed like we were all carb-loading for the reindeer games. If you have a domestic violence organization close to your heart, consider giving some of your time — it’s the kind of thing that could make even the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes and maybe even crack a smile.

Next up, the girls and I hit the AR Workshop in Bristol, TN. https://www.arworkshop.com/bristol/We slung paint and glitter onto ceramic Christmas trees with the precision of surgeons… if surgeons were hopped up on holiday cheer and armed with snacks. While our masterpieces dried, we devoured takeout and dove into a double round of white elephant. Let me tell you, these ladies are ruthless — if they spot a gift they want, they’ll snatch it faster than Santa sliding down a chimney. The laughter coming out of that workshop could probably be heard at the North Pole. This is definitely becoming an annual tradition.

We wrapped up the weekend with a road trip to Knoxville, TN, to Schulz Brau Brewing Company https://www.schulzbraubrewing.com/ — a German-style brewery with a castle entrance that made me feel like I should’ve worn a cape. The beer garden was transformed into a full-on European Christkindlesmarkt. There was live music, hot chocolate, gluhwein, beer, Santa, German food, excellent people-watching, and even Krampus showed up, because why not. It’s the closest thing East Tennessee has to a German Christmas market, and honestly, it was magical.