Curcio Webb, LLC

Michael Biegel's hometown of Elmwood Park, Illinois has a Norman Rockwell vibe. Michael says, "the neighborhood embraces the magic of the Christmas season with our annual Holiday. We light up sidewalk arches, enticing everyone to stroll. There's cozy togetherness around multiple fire pits, leading to hot cocoa toasts, and shared laughs. It's always the Saturday before Christmas. Families travel to Elmwood, park on the block, and walk through the arches, spreading Holiday cheer. Santa Claus is allowed PTO from the North Pole to make an appearance and pass out candy canes! Merry Christmas to all, far and near!" It sounds idyllic. Everyone at Curcio Webb echoes Michael's message--Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all, far and near! h/t History Hit #oldfashionedholiday #normanrockwell #neighborhoodgatherings

Kelly Tunder has a knack for giving back to her community while making and deepening new friendships. She shared, "Late this holiday season, I discovered a great way to give back to the community: the McKey Christmas Club in Milwaukee. They sponsor families during the holiday season through community donations and volunteer activities. This past weekend, we had the opportunity to help wrap presents for over 160 families in our community. Today, we will be delivering these gifts to the families. Each child will receive age-appropriate gifts, and the families will also receive a book to enjoy as a family. It was a great way to meet new people in our community and spread some holiday cheer." Your example always shines so brightly Kelly--thank you for sharing the activities of the McKey Christmas Club. The notion of a book that a family can read together is such a good one. #christmasclub #communitygenerosity #makingnewfriends

From our families to yours, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! As we reflect on how truly lucky we are, we want to thank you for being part of our community. In gratitude, a donation has been made to World Central Kitchen. Wishing all of you a wonderful year ahead! Farewell 2024! All of us are so grateful, as Jamie Curcio said in our holiday message, that you are part of our community here. See you in 2025. #community #gratitude #happynewyear2025

You'd have to be a bit foolhardy to challenge Mary Harter if games and "bragging rights" are on the table. Exhibit A: her family's Secret Santa gifting with a special twist. Mary said, "every year for Christmas, my extended family and I coordinate a big Secret Santa gift exchange. For about a month leading up to Christmas, through sending and receiving clues, and gathering intel from other family members, we all attempt to figure out who drew our name for the gift exchange. Before we exchange gifts, everyone gets a chance to guess who their “Santa” is, and prizes (and bragging rights) are awarded to those who guess correctly. I look forward to this every year, and it’s a great way to stay connected with my extended family." What a terrific way to extend the Christmas season and involve the whole family. Thanks Mary! Who else participates in a Secret Santa? What was your most memorable gift? H/t Good News Network for telling the story of the very first Secret Santa. #secretsanta #extendedfamilyfun #happyholidays

Philip Edwards and his family celebrate the holidays on the down-low. Here's Phil's version of a wonderful Christmas: "Our family’s tradition for the holidays is to try not to do anything special. We are all running around so much during the year with things like work, kids' activities, parties, and travel that we just like to stay in one place, together. A time to slow down, stream a few holiday movies ('Die Hard,' anyone?), share a few stories from times past, and play games. Simplicity, at its best." The Edwards' Christmas sounds very tempting. Thanks for sharing Phil--and for allowing a segue to a perennial Christmas debate! Is 'Die Hard' a Christmas movie? #quietChristmas #sharingstories #diehard  

When you read how Amy Alpren and her family celebrate the holidays, you’ll be amazed by how much fun and frivolity her family packs into the festive season. Amy says, “Thanksgiving is the kickoff to our family’s holiday and birthday season, making it extra special (and busy). Me and my husband host our families for Thanksgiving, about 25-30 people (I’m one of 6 and he’s one of 4), and celebrate mine and my dad’s birthdays. The following week we celebrate the kids’ grandmas’ birthdays, which are on the same day! The next week, we celebrate our daughter’s birthday (she’s turning 7 this year) who shares a birthday with her uncle on December 18th!” Whew! Catch your breath readers. Amy continues, “The best part about their birthday is that our families reconvene from various states for a full celebratory birthday/holiday weekend – one day is fully dedicated to birthday celebrations only and the next Pseudo Alpren Chrismukkah, where we celebrate Christmas and Hannukah (in advance of the actual holidays). It’s so much fun." After Saturday’s birthday celebration, it’s time to pivot.  On Sunday, everyone “wears matching holiday pajamas, wakes up as if it were Christmas morning, opens presents, spends the day together, and then pivots again to celebrate Hanukkah that evening😊” Thank you, Amy! It clearly takes a lot of organization and pre-planning to celebrate Alpren-style… but with such happy results. Is Chrismukkah part of your holiday tradition? h/t TABLE Magazine #chrismukkah #familygatherings #matchingholidaypajamas

Take a trip in the way-back machine with Curcio Webb, LLC owner Jamie Curcio--she recalls how captivated she was by Chicago during the holidays. Shares Jamie, "I have so many Christmas memories. For me, Christmas is all about family and spending time together. Some of our traditions started when I was a little girl. We always went to Chicago to see Santa Claus and the windows at Marshall Field’s and then dinner at Berghoff’s. My grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins joined us. The magic of Chicago at Christmas was very special. Now, we spend time with family on Christmas Eve at our house with a big dinner that is always so fun and one of my favorite evenings all year. Christmas morning, we have brunch with family and then relax and watch football! It is a great way to celebrate each year and the promise of next year." Those childhood memories are so precious. Thank you Jamie. Was there a special holiday tradition that brought your extended family together? #magicofachicagochristmas #familytraditions #santaclaus h/t Chicago History Museum

How does one create and maintain holiday traditions when two cultures come together? Sue Anderson, CFP® has some answers as well as a delicious culinary treat. Sue shared, "I did not grow up with Christmas traditions (my parents immigrated from Korea and did not celebrate the season). This means, for example, that we did not have a set day to open gifts – it could be anytime from December 24 – 26th! However, my husband’s family had many traditions that we incorporated as we were raising our own family. For example, Christmas Eve dinner always consists of fresh oyster stew (yes, the kids ate it!) and Swedish meatballs (a Swedish tradition as his parents are of Scandinavian descent). I have learned that these dishes reflect Sweden's culinary heritage and have been enjoyed in festive gatherings, adding warmth and tradition to Christmas celebrations. Here is a link I found that also talks about these dishes and provides a recipe too. I have come to see the value of family traditions around whatever holiday you choose to celebrate. They bring a sense of continuity and connection, comfort and meaning and provides a structure to the holiday that makes it feel special and unique. Our kids are now adults, and we all look forward to celebrating this and other special traditions together." Thank you, Sue, for giving us a sense of how traditions and recipes from the "old country" are incorporated into your present-day Christmas celebrations. No doubt the next generation will also serve up fresh oyster stew and "heavenly" Swedish meatballs. Are there dishes that you always serve? What are the stories behind them? #culinarymemories #christmascontinuity #familytraditions

How many of you have a daily ritual of finding the perfect place for the Elf on the Shelf? Christopher Siciliano has really upped the experience. He shared that, "the family have recently started an annual tradition of heading into Philadelphia to see a musical and to enjoy some holiday activities during the Christmas season. My daughters both take acting classes at Walnut Street Theater on Saturday mornings, so this year we are seeing Elf the Musical at Walnut Street. Obviously, Elf is a must watch on TV each year … so we are looking forward to the live version on stage! Over the past few years, we have seen both Hamilton and Wicked at the Academy of Music on Broad Street during the holiday season. It’s a great activity to bring the family together and a perfect complement to a walk around the city." What a fantastic idea, Chris. Many families make a point of seeing The Nutcracker performed -- seeing a play together is next level. #familyouting #elf #exploringthecity

One of Kelly Tunder's favorite things about the holiday season is getting to spend time with special friends and family. She shared, "it is a time of year that brings everyone together for cocktails, dinner, or celebrating. Just in the last few weeks, the season has already started with neighborhood socials, Friendsgiving dinners, game nights and travel to visit old friends. Over the next few weeks of December, I look forward to more visits, celebrations, and most of all special quality time with my family on Christmas day." Although Thanksgiving 2024 is in the rear view mirror, let's reflect on the growing popularity of Friendsgiving. Who knows, it might one day rival Galentine's Day! Thanks for sharing your traditions Kelly. h/t Cooking Genie App #holidaytraditions #friendsgiving #neighborhoodcelebrations