Publisher’s Letter

Merry Christmas!

This is the season I look forward to more than any other, every single year.

My friends and family will tell you I am one of “those” people who has her Christmas decorations completed the day after Halloween passes (and sometimes before). It’s festive. It’s faithful. It’s familial. And we love it.

Christmas means more to me each year, more than any other holiday. On a personal level, I have been through a lot the last few years, more than at any time in recent memory. But through it all, I am here. I am healthy, my family is healthy and this season, we are celebrating. I am most grateful this year for the little things that make me the happiest. Life is a fragile thing that we should not take for granted.

In parallel, it’s for all these reasons that this issue of AY About You is exceptionally special to us.

First, have you seen this cover? (Of course, you have, you’ve made it this far.) It’s a stunning mixture of cookies, candies and coconut cake, designed by our friend Sandy Bradley, for a collection bursting with Christmas spirit. For more home-related fun, read about ASU head football coach Butch Jones’ home, featured at Christmas as decorated by the amazing Tom Chandler & Associates.

And it wouldn’t be a holiday issue of AY without plenty of food to make you hungry. Our latest iteration of AY’s Arkansas Bucket List visits Edwards Food Giant, bringing you amazing goodies for the holiday season.

We also have some delicious recipes for you and yours to make at home, such as a gingerbread house featuring our “Friends” at Central Perk, plus goodies from Julie’s Sweet Shop, Dempsey Bakery and the most talented Patti Stobaugh from PattiCakes Bakery in Conway.

Also see our special section “Getting to Know,” AY’s Best of 2022, as we get ready to nominate AY’s Best of 2023 (watch for nominations, starting soon at aymag.com.) Then there are the gifts for which we brought back our annual 25 Days of Christmas Giveaway. Don’t forget to enter each day December 1-25, for your chance to win at aymag.com!

We know you’ll enjoy all of the above, because we all have to get our eating and shopping fix this time of year. But you should also be sure to make time to unwind and spend quality time with the ones you love. For that, we have extensive listings of upcoming holiday performances as well as a list of holiday light shows.

Above everything, may we all find a few moments this month to reflect on what the season is really all about. Friends. Family. Faith. It’s about us; it’s about Him.

As for me and my household, we are very blessed.

Heather Baker, President & Publisher hbaker@aymag.com / heatherbaker_ar

AZF

Arts & Culture, Inc.