A Pawrent’s Creativity

How are you creative?

Creativity comes from the soul. The pain its endured, the love it feels, the life its created.

Creativity is the truest expression of the soul.

How am I creative? Well, Christmas Eve, a kitchen filled with the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg, holiday music playing softly in the background, and me standing there like a mad scientist with sprinkles in one hand and a piping bag in the other.

For me, creativity during the holidays is all about turning ordinary moments into a little bit of magic. Take sugar cookies, for example—most people just decorate them with frosting. Not me. I transform each cookie into its own tiny masterpiece. A snowman with mismatched mittens, a reindeer with googly candy eyes, or a Christmas tree so loaded with edible ornaments it could rival Rockefeller Center.

And let’s not forget the wrapping paper situation. Why settle for store-bought when you can hand-stamp your own designs? I’ll spend hours turning kraft paper into a festive canvas with tiny painted holly berries or reindeer tracks. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about the fun of creating something one-of-a-kind.

Even when it comes to gift-giving, I like to think outside the box—literally. Last year, I made a scavenger hunt for my family to find their presents. It involved riddles, a map, and a very confused dog who kept finding the clues before anyone else did.

So, how am I creative? I channel the Christmas spirit into everything I touch—cookies, gifts, decorations, and even moments of laughter. It’s not just about what you make; it’s about the joy and wonder you bring to others while you’re making it. And if that means wearing a Santa hat while orchestrating a marshmallow snowball fight in the living room, then so be it.

But creativity doesn’t stop at the kitchen or the wrapping station—it spills into every corner of the holiday season. For instance, when it comes to Christmas playlists, I’m the DJ who mixes classics with surprises. Sure, you’ll hear Bing Crosby crooning about a white Christmas, but you’ll also get an unexpected mashup of Mariah Carey and an indie folk rendition of “Jingle Bells.” It’s about setting a mood that’s festive and uniquely “me.”

Then there’s the Christmas tree. Oh, the tree! Most people pick a theme—red and gold, rustic chic—but not me. My tree tells a story. Every ornament has a memory: a glittery pinecone from third grade, a tiny glass globe I bought at a flea market, a handmade felt snowflake gifted by a friend. Each piece is a chapter in a book only my family and I can read.

And let’s not forget the stories. Every Christmas, I love to gather everyone around and craft a holiday tale on the spot. The protagonist might be a mischievous elf who accidentally switches Santa’s bag with one filled with penguin snacks, or perhaps a snowflake who dreams of becoming part of a snowman’s nose but ends up on a Christmas card instead. Watching kids and adults alike dive into the world I’ve spun out of thin air is one of the greatest joys of the season.

And when the day winds down and everyone’s full of cocoa and cookies, my favorite creative endeavor begins: crafting gratitude. I handwrite letters for family and friends, filled with memories from the year and heartfelt wishes for the next. It’s a quiet tradition, but to me, it’s the most meaningful one—a way to capture the spirit of the season in words.

So, how am I creative? I’m the holiday elf who sprinkles a little magic into everything, from cookies to chaos. Whether it’s a quirky tradition, an unexpected gift, or a story that makes someone laugh until their sides ache, I use the Christmas spirit to remind everyone that the best gifts are the ones made with love and imagination. And if that’s not creativity wrapped in tinsel, I don’t know what is.

But creativity doesn’t stop at the kitchen, the wrapping station, or even the Christmas tree—it extends to my role as a devoted pawrent. The holidays are just as magical for my furry companions as they are for the humans in my life, and I love finding ways to include them in the festivities.

Take, for instance, their stockings. Yes, my pets have stockings, hung with care alongside everyone else’s. I fill them with their favorite treats, toys, and sometimes, a quirky surprise—like a chew toy shaped like a gingerbread man or a festive bowtie collar. The look of excitement (or confusion) on their faces when they sniff out their goodies is one of my favorite parts of the season.

And when it comes to decorating, my pets become my creative muses. Last year, I crafted ornaments featuring their paw prints—carefully pressing their little paws into clay molds to make keepsakes. It was messy and involved a lot of bribery with treats, but now those pawprint ornaments hang proudly on our tree, a testament to their place in our family.

Then there’s holiday fashion. My dog, Sugarplum, is the reluctant star of this show. One year, I knitted her a sweater with a Christmas tree on the back, complete with tiny button ornaments. While she wasn’t thrilled about wearing it, the pictures we took (with her begrudging tolerance) were the highlight of our holiday cards.

Of course, no holiday season is complete without special meals, and my creativity shines in the kitchen when I’m cooking for both humans and pets. My furry companions get their own Christmas dinner—a bowl of homemade goodies like turkey, sweet potatoes, and a sprinkle of parsley for flair. Watching them savor their festive feast reminds me that love is in the details, even when it comes to pawrenting.

But perhaps the most creative part of being a pawrent during the holidays is finding ways to keep the chaos manageable. Imagine trying to wrap gifts with a curious cat batting at ribbons or baking cookies with a dog who thinks every dropped crumb is their cue to taste-test. Instead of getting frustrated, I lean into the madness, turning it into a game. We have “ribbon chases” and “cookie cleanups,” where my pets feel like they’re part of the action.

And when the day winds down, and the house is quiet, I gather my pets for a cozy storytime. I curl up with them under a blanket, reading a holiday-themed tale or making up one of my own. Maybe it’s about a dog who helps Santa find a lost sleigh bell or a cat who discovers the true meaning of Christmas while exploring a snowy town. Their attentive ears (and the occasional snores) make me feel like the most accomplished storyteller in the world.

So, how am I creative during the holidays? I’m the festive pawrent who sprinkles a little holiday magic into every moment, ensuring my furry friends feel just as loved and included as everyone else. From pawprint ornaments to pet-friendly feasts, my creativity is wrapped in tinsel, tied with love, and delivered with a wagging tail. Because in our home, the Christmas spirit belongs to every member of the family—four legs or two.