From the Team

The true magic of the holidays is how we fill empty hearts with joy. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love, the Lifestyle / Topograph team

Here are some of our favorite holiday traditions and activities.

Eric: Every year for the past eight years, during the week of Christmas, my family gets dressed up in costumes to reenact the Nativity story as the classic characters: Joseph, Mary, Angels, Sheep, Donkeys, etc., complete with a baby-doll Jesus, manger, and barn. We film it all on our phone, edit it, and watch our “Riley Family Nativity” back that night with popcorn in front of the fireplace.

JJ: Eating a ridiculous amount of food, cozying up next to the fireplace, or our annual Christmas pajama sleepover party and gift exchange.

Lea: Every year on Christmas night, my family and I drive to the living nativity in Riverdale and drive through the “streets of Bethlehem” with our hot cocoa.

Lili: Being back at my parents' house, having everyone under the same roof, and spending quality time as a family.

Marcie: I like to write Christmas cards each year, especially to those I don’t keep in touch with on a regular basis. I think it’s nice to get a card with a personal note. So please send me one. P.S. I hate social media.

Maria: Playing Pictionary or Catch Phrase with the whole Gaston clan–it alway generates gales of laughter.

Monica: Putting a puzzle together with family, next to a fire while being serenaded by classic Christmas albums.

Rylie: Putting up the Christmas lights with my dad each year (I’ve done it since I was about 10) or getting matching pjs with my sisters every Christmas Eve!

Stacy: Gathering with friends and family for music and enjoying holiday drinks and snacks.