Stores have been preparing for the holidays for months now, people were discussing parties, gifts and the season well before Thanksgiving and decorations began springing up everywhere, but for some reason, I did not begin to feel in the holiday spirit until this week. But, the spirit has certainly hit me with a vengeance and I am ready for the holiday! I went to my first holiday party earlier this week and my first gifts of the season were given and received in a Pollyanna – luckily, I came out of it with a Starbucks gift card and not some of the other, more interesting gifts my friends left with. And, I finally started my Christmas shopping this week with a trip to the mall on Tuesday, followed by Internet shopping Wednesday and Thursday and I have at least one stop to make on my way home tonight.  And I also started decorating the Christmas tree, the one thing about the holidays that, I must admit, I never really enjoy. The first batch of cookies was made in my house on Wednesday and I compiled my cookie wish list – a long list of all the cookies I hope my mom makes this year. Even here at the office, the holidays are in full swing. We got the ball rolling early this year by getting our corporate holiday cards out in November. We wanted to be the first to wish you and yours a happy holiday season. I walked into work the other day to find that Fran Gallagher had hung a fresh wreath on the door and put the office tree up. And we are all getting ready for our holiday party on December 17 and buying our “Secret Santa” gifts. ‘Tis the season – hope you are all in the holiday spirit! Good luck with all the preparations and present buying! -Kimberly Krol, circulation and PR executive