There’s something timeless about the holiday season. It has a way of bringing us back to the simplest, happiest moments of our childhood, where laughter and love were the only things that mattered. For me, one of my favorite holiday traditions has always been decorating the Christmas tree with my family.
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Happy Holidays!! This no bake recipe is fun to make and delicious. You can make ahead and decorate any way you would like. I found the wreaths to be festive and cheerful. They also are a crowd favorite.
Las fiestas navideñas están llenas de tradiciones que reúnen a familias y amigos para celebrar y crear recuerdos duraderos. Este año, mi familia y yo empezamos una nueva tradición que no solo es divertida, sino también inclusiva y accesible para todo el mundo: las exhibiciones de luces navideñas o festivas desde el automóvil.
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The holiday season is filled with traditions that bring families and friends together to celebrate and create lasting memories. This year, my family and I are starting a new tradition—one that’s not only fun but also inclusive and accessible to everyone: drive-thru holiday light displays.
For years, my family has enjoyed driving around town to look at holiday lights. We love visiting our local coffee shop to grab a warm drink and then drive around our neighborhood in search of the best holiday decorations. Last year, we realized we could make the experience even more magical by embracing the new wave of drive-thru light shows. These events are popping up in many cities, offering families a unique and safe way to enjoy festive displays without leaving the comfort of their vehicles.
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Every year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) highlights the artistic talents of the MS community in our digital Art Showcase. We have received many wonderful submissions from individuals with MS across the country and are delighted to invite the community to participate once again in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase.
Now until January 10, 2025, individuals with MS are encouraged to submit up to three works of visual art along with their personal stories to be highlighted in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase. We welcome various types of art including paintings, drawings, photography, and more. To participate, please visit MSAA’s Call for Submissions webpage, or email us at showcase@mymsaa.org.
Eligibility:
Please be sure to read through all Art Showcase rules and release form requirements prior to submitting your work.
Eligible submissions will be featured on MSAA’s website beginning in March 2025 in recognition of MS Awareness Month. Throughout the year, 12 artists and their work will be highlighted as Artists of the Month. To view submissions from previous Art Showcases, please visit our online gallery.
MSAA’s 2024-2025 Art Showcase recently won a Silver Digital Health Award! To learn more about this accomplishment, please read MSAA’s Latest News article.
By Stacie Prada
Bright lights on buildings and cool decorations
Brighten the landscape and cause a sensation
Snail mail and email share tidings and cheer
Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year
Kindness from strangers and heartfelt connection
Show us what matters and trigger reflection
Posts on the social show who they hold dear
Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year
Visit with loved ones and arrive gift bearing
delight in giving while sharing and caring
Joy, peace, and goodwill for those far and near
Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year
When fatigue hits
When the stress rears
When I’m overwhelmed
Focus on what matters, let go of the rest,
and deem the season success!
This was written for fun to be sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things,” by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers in their musical, “The Sound of Music.” Take good care all!
*Stacie Prada was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 just shy of 38 years old. Her blog, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing” is a compilation of inspiration, exploration, and practical tips for living with Multiple Sclerosis while living a full, productive, and healthy life with a positive perspective. It includes musings on things that help her adapt, cope and celebrate this adventure on earth. Please visit her at http://stacieprada.blogspot.com/
One overlooked symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is sensory overload. Noise, lights, and crowds cause panic and lead to feeling overwhelmed. Many with MS do not realize sensory overload is a symptom. It feels confusing when it first happens.
MultipleSclerosis.net published an article about sensory overload that resonated with many readers. The insights and responses from the community are worth sharing!
Last year, while wandering St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, I witnessed something truly…um…festively unforgettable? Yes. Let’s go with that. There, weaving through the crowds of holiday revelers in a slightly unhinged, and somehow intact golf cart, was Scrooge, shouting insults at anyone within earshot and driving as if he’d just discovered the gas pedal. Naturally, I knew immediately: this was a Christmas experience I’d have to have a front row seat for next year.
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Today, Tuesday, December 3rd, MSAA honors Giving Tuesday – a global initiative that promotes generosity and community engagement for nonprofits and charitable organizations. Days like today are critical for MSAA, as they promote support of our organization so that we may continue to provide free programs and services to the MS community.
During this busy time of year, members of the MS community need MSAA’s help more than ever – from assistive equipment for safety and mobility, to support and resources through MSAA’s Helpline specialists. In addition, MSAA’s educational programs, publications, webinars, videos, and podcasts provide a great deal of information on a wide range of topics, from symptoms and treatments, to physical and emotional wellness, and so much more. Our mission of Improving Lives Today is ongoing, and it is made possible due to the generosity of our donors.
Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to make a meaningful donation to MSAA. Your gift truly helps to support those affected by MS. If you would like to make a donation today, please visit mymsaa.org/donate. We greatly appreciate your support!
MSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Kristan Simmons as December’s Artist of the Month. Kristan is from Johnson City, TN.
“Jonesborough in the Winter”
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