Traditions have always big in my family. The neat thing about traditions is old ones can be passed down and new ones can be created. Of course we do all the normal stuff like decorate a tree, hang stockings and go to church. We also have some more unusual traditions.

One of my favorite traditions my parents started was Christmas soup. My mom would make a fantastic seafood soup for Christmas Eve. The problem though was we would get too busy that night running from one relative's house to the next, going to church and looking at lights. There just wasn't time to eat it. So, we now eat Christmas Soup for breakfast on Christmas morning. It's kind of quirky, but special, especially because we only have it once a year.

Another one of our fun traditions is going to a movie on Christmas Eve day. It's a nice way to relax when all the preparation is finished. Plus, there's usually a new cheesy Christmas movie in the theaters. Surprisingly, we aren't the only ones. It seems more people are catching on and the movie theaters get busier each year.

I guess the reason traditions are so important is because they bring families and loved ones together, create fond memories and become an individualized way to celebrate the holidays.

I'm sure I'm not the only sap out there, maybe just the only one to admit it. Who else has unique traditions? Come on, tell me. You know you want to!
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is located in Memphis Tenn. This children's hospital is no regular hospital. Tricycles replace wheelchairs and the walls are colorfully decorated. The hospital was founded in 1962 and has treated over 19,000 children from all over the world. The best part is no one is refused treatment for inability to pay.

I realized what a great idea this woman had. Instead of just spending money on the normal Christmas gifts, she was able to give a much more meaningful gift.. This gift did not only go to me, but will hopefully help a sick child. She inspired me to find new places to do my Christmas shopping.

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's shop has a wide selection of gifts including Liz Claiborne nylon bags, jewelry, candles, clothing, music and more. I wish I had known of this sooner.

What types of charitable gifts have you given or received? I'd love to hear of other special gift ideas.

Our bodies do this amazing task automatically. And for the most part we don't give it a second thought. That is, until those stupid viruses bite us in the butt, or the nose, so to speak.

A nasty cold snuck up on me this week. At night, my head lays on top mountainous pillows and I will soon be able to pass as a relative of Rudolph.

Don't get me wrong, I can handle a little snot here and there, but when my left nostril is completely out of commission, I would give anything to breathe normally again.

My head feels overly inflated, and I'm not talking about my alter ego. The pressure seems to rhythmically throb.

I've got my routine down. I blow my nose, toss the tissue into the trash and grab the hand sanitizer. About ten minutes later, I'll repeat the process.

They say we don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. This couldn't be any more true than when it comes to breathing. I now live for those little moments of nasal clarity, like when I first step out of the steamy shower.

I realize in my moment of sickness how important it is to cherish every breath because I may not be able to breathe tomorrow. Now, if I could only remember that when I'm not all congested.
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