• Growing up, my family's annual holiday photos were elaborate productions, with matching outfits.
• When I became a parent, I kept the tradition going, until the stress of perfect photos wore me down.
• Letting go of holiday cards lifted an unexpected weight, giving me back time joy, and time.

I grew up in a house where coordinated family photos were the norm. My mom would line up the four of us kids in matching outfits — one year, freshly pressed sailor suits; the next, velvet dresses, with my brother in a matching tie. Every stray hair would be tucked in or sprayed down.

We were bribed (or more like lightly threatened) to smile with our eyes open, something that's more difficult than it should be when you're a kid who just wants to be DONE.

Then came the card — glossy, cheerful, and perfectly posed — the proof that our family had it all together, at least for one photo.

I kept the tradition going with my own kids

So when I had my own kids, I continued this tradition without question. Every year, I'd book a family photo session well in advance of Thanksgiving, hoping that temperamental Chicago weather wouldn't put a damper on our outdoor photos.

I'd scour Pinterest for outfit inspiration, aiming for a coordinated but not totally matching vibe. The goal was to capture one frame of perfection — a photo worthy of the hundreds of envelopes I'd soon address by hand.

But the reality behind those photos was far from picture-perfect. There were bribes of hot chocolate and complaints about itchy sweaters. I'd smile through gritted teeth while the photographer tried to get everyone looking in the same direction. By the end, the kids were shivering, my husband was done, and I was wondering why we put ourselves through this every year.

And that was just phase one.

Once we had a "good enough" photo, I'd spend hours designing the cards online, tweaking fonts, choosing layouts, and agonizing over whether to include a photo of the whole family or the cuter one of just the kids.

Then came the addressing, stamping, and mailing — usually squeezed in between wrapping gifts, decorating the house, and trying to keep the ambiance somewhat festive. What was meant to be a joyful holiday tradition had turned into yet another item on my never-ending to-do list.

Quitting holiday cards lifted a huge weight

Two years ago, I finally asked myself, "Why am I doing this?"

When I couldn't come up with a satisfying answer beyond "because we've always done it," I decided to stop. No family photo shoot. No card design. No envelopes or stamps.

That first year without holiday cards felt strange at first, like I'd forgotten to do something important. December rolled around, and my mailbox filled with cheerful greetings from family and friends, each one featuring those perfectly posed families and braggy year-end recaps. For a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of guilt, like I'd dropped out of a club I'd been part of my entire adult life.

But then the feeling passed. What replaced it was a deep sense of relief.

Without the looming card deadline, December suddenly opened up. I had more time to actually enjoy the holidays — to bake sugar cookies in the shape of stars and drive through neighborhoods adorned in holiday lights. The pressure to present our family in a certain way — smiling, coordinated, festive — simply disappeared.

Now our photos (and holidays) feel more authentic

Instead of orchestrating a posed photo, we started taking more spontaneous pictures: messy, candid, real. A selfie at a local holiday market. A blurry shot of everyone laughing in front of our silver faux Christmas tree. A snowy mountain scene after a day of skiing. These pictures weren't perfect, but they were us. And when I looked at them later, they didn't remind me of how stressed I felt trying to get everyone to cooperate — they reminded me of how much fun we actually had.

Something else unexpected also happened: no one seemed to miss the cards. The people who truly wanted to connect reached out in other ways. It made me realize that keeping in touch didn't have to involve postage and cardstock.

Letting go of the holiday card tradition didn't make the end of the year any less special — it made them more so. It gave me permission to simplify and remember that the memories that matter most aren't ones you send in the mail. They're the ones you make together, no matching outfits required.

• Texas has become one of the top destinations for movers in the US.
• Its business-friendly climate and lower cost of living attract people from all walks of life.
• Supermodel Bella Hadid and actor James Marsden are among the celebrities who have moved to Texas.

Texas is popular for many reasons.

The second-largest US state is the birthplace of the iconic musician Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter as well as NFL star Michael Strahan and actresses Selena Gomez and Reneé Zellweger.

It's also home to a beloved football team, the Dallas Cowboys, and internationally famous festivals including South by Southwest (SXSW).

Beyond its cultural significance, Texas has a reputation for its affordability, largely due to its relatively lower cost of living and absence of state income tax. This personal finance appeal, combined with a business-friendly environment, has attracted entrepreneurs and their companies over the years.

Word has gotten out — and cities in the Lone Star State often lead lists of top places Americans are moving to.

According to a Business Insider analysis of individual-level data from the Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, over 668,300 people moved to Texas between 2021 and 2022, the most recent time period for which data is available. This makes Texas the second-most popular destination in the US for movers, just behind Florida, which had about 739,000 inbound movers during the same period.

Several celebrities are among the hordes of movers to Texas. This reflects a broader trend of wealth realignment in the United States, where even the proverbial Joneses are moving to areas where their money goes further and the weather is more favorable.

Consider supermodel Bella Hadid, who moved to Fort Worth, Texas, this year to live with her professional horseman boyfriend, Adan Banuelos. Roseanne Barr and comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan have decamped from LA to Austin in recent years.

Many other stars have also relocated to Texas.

Business Insider has compiled a list of 15 notable celebrities and businesspeople who have moved themselves — and in some cases, their businesses — to the Lone Star State.

The list is presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Roseanne Barr traded the Hollywood Hills for 30 acres in Texas Hill Country.

Roseanne Barr's son, Jake Pentland, told Us Weekly in June 2025 that his famous mother had traded the Hollywood Hills for Texas Hill Country, a region in central Texas that includes cities like Austin and New Braunfels.

"My mom lives with me, my wife, and my two daughters — she's the best grandma," Pentland told the magazine.

In a separate June interview with Fox News Digital, Barr said living in Texas is a "dream come true" and described what her new life looks like.

"I'm doing a lot of mowing. I've got a really fantastic tractor out here, and I'm mowing," Barr said. "The only problem is I don't clear the trees quite as good as I should, and I'm always hitting a tree and knocking it over, and it always hits me in the head."

Haylie Duff admitted it took a while to realize she could still have an acting career without living in LA.

A native of Texas, Duff decided with her fiancé Matt Rosenberg to pack up the kids and leave California once the pandemic hit.

At first, she was nervous that the move would hurt her career.

"I think so much of my fear of moving out of Los Angeles was that my career was there and that I would never work again or something like that," she told Fox News Digital in 2022. "And, you know, I think this has all taught us that Zoom certainly can be a very powerful tool. And we can, you know, very luckily for me, get to continue to work from here, and I get to live near my dad. I haven't lived, here, near my dad in a really long time."

Scott Eastwood loves living in Texas because it "slows life down."

The son of Clint Eastwood, Scott has been methodically building his own career, showing up in the "Fast and Furious" franchise and Guy Ritchie movies.

During his downtime in Texas, he does everything from fishing to hunting.

"I think that's why people who come to Texas really can fall in love with it," he told Flaunt in 2021 from his home in Austin. "There's more community, people are more neighborly, people are nice. It slows life down a little bit. It's not this fast-paced living in a big city like New York or Los Angeles."

Bella Hadid said she moved to Texas for her health.

After spending most of her life jet-setting around the world trying to conquer the modeling industry, Hadid decided recently to take some time away from the spotlight.

In early 2024, she spoke to Allure about moving to Texas to focus on her mental and physical health (she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2013), and be with her cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos.

"Just as I have styled myself for years now — which I still do — I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look, and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas," Hadid told Allure. "We have the best time, and I never feel like I need to do too much."

"For the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face. If I don't feel good, I won't go. If I don't feel good, I take time for myself. And I've never had the opportunity to do that or say that before," Hadid added. "Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am. I am feeling better; my bad days now were my old good days."

Since James Marsden moved to Texas, he lives closer to his mother.

The star has enjoyed visiting Austin for decades but finally decided to live there in 2020.

"I love it. I've been coming here for 20 years," he told "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in 2020. "I'm much closer to my mom and everybody. I love it. It's great."

Keith Lee fell in love with Dallas' restaurants.

The former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter turned TikTok food critic has set up shop in Texas.

After living in Las Vegas, Lee relocated to Texas in November 2024. In a December video reviewing the downtown Dallas restaurant The Wicked Butcher, he revealed that he now lives in Dallas.

"One thing I do love about the Dallas food scene — we've been here a month, a month and a half — they do have some nice fine dining restaurants," Lee said.

Matthew McConaughey wanted to be closer to family.

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves settled in Austin in 2012 after buying a 10,800-square-foot mansion.

According to a 2024 profile in Southern Living, the move to Texas was initially because of a "family crisis," when he needed to help his mother and two brothers. The couple decided to stay put and raise their three children there.

"Ritual came back," McConaughey said of being back in Texas. "Whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night, or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen, sitting at the island pouring drinks and nibbling while retelling them all in different ways than we told them before."

Elon Musk moved to Texas and brought his companies with him.

In July, Elon Musk vowed to move two of his companies, X and SpaceX, out of California and into Texas. He already moved Telsa to Texas in 2021.

In 2020, Musk announced that he had already moved to Texas himself at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council summit.

Musk has claimed to own a tiny home in Texas, and records show he bought a house in Austin in 2022.

Shaquille O'Neal has been buying up properties in North Texas.

In 2022, O'Neal bought a 5,269-square-foot home in Carrollton listed at $1,224,000 and sold it in 2024 for an undisclosed amount, though it was listed for $1.7 million, according to Realtor.com.

That year, Chexy Trust, tied to the Carrollton purchase, bought a 4,670-square-foot home in Rockwall County. In 2024, O'Neal opened a branch of his Big Chicken chain restaurant in Fort Worth.

As his footprint in the region grows, he told WFAA he plans to make the area his home base.

"I'm 75% going to move here full time," O'Neal said in June. "I have to see what's going on with TNT next year, but based on that, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me."

Glen Powell got tired of the lack of freedom living in Los Angeles.

The "Twisters" star, who is also a native Texan, moved back to Austin from Los Angeles recently to be close to his family and for his own mental health.

"When all you do is consume movies and entertainment, you could become a little self-aware and maybe derivative of yourself," Powell told USA Today. "Your personal life, there's no sort of freedom there, there's storytelling around that, and I feel like that's just not good for you on the long term."

Jared Padalecki has a soft spot for Austin.

Padalecki ditched Hollywood for Texas before it was a trend. The "Supernatural" star, a San Antonio native, relocated from Los Angeles to Austin with his wife, Genevieve, in 2012.

In an Instagram video taken on Austin's 24th Street in 2020, he explained why he loves the city so much.

"Austin brings me a warmth and a happiness and a peace that I have been unable to find anywhere else in my travels," Padalecki said. "I love being here."

Christine Quinn's return to her home state has brought her closer to her family.

In 2025, former "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn relocated to her home state of Texas after splitting from her ex-husband, tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet.

Quinn now lives in a suburb outside Dallas with her young son, Christian.

"I am really, really grateful to be living here," Quinn told People in January, adding that she's happy to be closer to family. "I have a sister who lives really close to me, and my son has a cousin. So it's really something that I needed as opposed to the chaos when I was in Los Angeles."

Joe Rogan ended up in Texas once the pandemic hit.

Like many other celebs, Rogan left Los Angeles once the pandemic hit.

In a 2023 episode of his popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience," he explained why he ended up in Texas.

"Then we went to the lake, and people are playing music and jumping in the water," said Rogan, adding that his kids "were like, 'We want to live here!'"

"That was it. Two months later, I lived here," he said in the podcast episode.

Jamie Lynn Sigler has felt more connected to her craft since moving to Texas.

"The Sopranos" star moved to Austin in 2021 with her family, husband Cutter Dykstra, and sons Beau and Jack.

"I almost feel more connected to my craft and why I love acting," Sigler told The New York Times in 2021. "When the calls come in, it's a beautiful surprise. I'm still on things and I'm still a businesswoman and it's still my career, but I don't feel the pressure around it because we took a stand for ourselves and we made decisions for our families."

James Van Der Beek wanted to get his kids out of LA.

A year after renewing his vows with his wife, Kimberly, in Austin, the "Dawson's Creek" star moved the whole family there.

They now live on a 36-acre property.

"We wanted to get the kids out of Los Angeles," Van Der Beek told Austin Lifestyle in 2021. "We wanted to give them space and we wanted them to live in nature."

• Soon after I had my son, I was shocked when someone asked when I was going to give him a sibling.
• Economic strain and limited support systems make raising a child a very big commitment.
• We might be one and done with our family. We want our son to have it all, and I want a life, too.

"So, when are you going to have another child?" I was freshly postpartum the first time I heard this question, and I couldn't even fathom a response.

Over a year later, it's still a question my husband and I receive frequently from family members, friends, and even strangers.

Raising kids is hard; everyone knows that. So why is there so much pressure from others to have more?

Why isn't one enough?

I've previously written about how coming to the decision to become a mother at all was difficult for me. Now that my son is here, I couldn't imagine life without him.

Raising a child in today's economy, where both parents often have to work, the cost of food and housing is astronomical, and healthcare is unaffordable, means we are spread thinner than ever. Add in more personal variables like a small village, and I'm realizing that I'm constantly doing more with less.

The pressure from others to have more kids feels intrusive and tiring. Quips like "They need a sibling" get old fast and can be easily discredited. My child has two loving parents, grandparents, and lots of friends. Besides, I know plenty of adults who don't have relationships with their siblings. It also isn't my responsibility to provide my child with a built-in playmate.

I get that it's easy for an outsider to make comments about us having more kids when they aren't the ones taking care of them, but these remarks only give me anxiety and make me second-guess myself.

I want my child to have it all

I love giving my son 100% of my attention. When I do consider adding another child, there is no doubt my heart could make room for them, but do I want it to?

Some families may not feel "complete" until they have a certain number of kids, but I don't feel like our family is missing anyone. My son fills my heart completely, and I want to be fully present for him, not busy tending to an infant.

I also want to have it all

This reasoning may be a bit selfish, but I don't believe being a mother means abandoning my other identities and aspirations. I want to enjoy my life and not spend a decade of it navigating sleepless nights, toilet training, and temper tantrums.

I knew that having a kid meant sacrificing leisure time, spontaneous date nights, and weekends away. But having another means starting over and resetting the clock. I'm excited for the coming years when my son is a bit older and outings, traveling, and visits to restaurants become easier and more enjoyable again.

I have to consider our time and energy

My husband and I are older parents; he's 40, and I'm 36. This comes with some benefits, like financial stability, but it also means our energy is limited. We are exhausted at the end of most days from chasing our toddler. Adding in a second stubborn, rambunctious tiny human sounds like a bad joke.

As an older mom, my window of opportunity to have more kids is closing. I have no desire to be a 40-year-old mom with a newborn, so that means we would have to have our second within the next couple of years. Call me crazy, but navigating a pregnancy and going through the newborn trenches again, now with a toddler, just doesn't sound appealing.

While my husband and I aren't 100% "one and done," as each day passes, that reality becomes more likely. It's our decision alone to make, without the opinion of others. I think it's time to normalize the concept of one being enough and recognize that having an only child can be just as fulfilling, intentional, and meaningful as having a larger family.

• Tamela Gill Davis is married to Demario Davis, a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
• She has a graduate degree in education and homeschools their six kids.
• The family does dinner together about four nights a week during football season.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tamela Gill Davis. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I always felt like there were two divergent paths for me to follow. One led to New York City, where I would live my best Carrie Bradshaw life, fiercely independent. The other led to a partner I really trusted, and a large family to structure my life around.

Soon after I met my husband, Demario Davis, I realized I was moving along the second path. Demario and I met in class when I was in grad school, and he was in his senior year of college. For about six months, we were just friends, but when Demario asked me to be his girlfriend, he explained he wanted to date me with the intention of getting married. It was like a mini proposal.

The next year, 2012, we got married, and Demario was drafted to the NFL. Today, he plays for the Saints, while I homeschool our kids.

Our 6 kids have two first names each

My mom and dad had many siblings, and I loved watching the dynamics between my aunts and uncles at my grandmother's house. I wanted five kids, like the Crosbys, but Demario said we should make it an even six.

I'm not having any more. After our fifth child, I had my first miscarriage. I thought that was a sign that my body was done, but soon after, I got pregnant again. It was a difficult pregnancy, and the delivery was my first C-section. My body has had enough after being pregnant or nursing for nearly 12 years.

All our kids have double first names, like Bailey-Grace, our oldest. It appeals to the vintage southern girl in me. They call each other by the first part of their names, but I always use the full name. I teach them that they can ask people to use their full names too, and correct others if it's wrong on paperwork.

I planned to be an educator, and now I homeschool

Before I met Demario, I was planning a career in education: I would become a teacher, then a principal, then a superintendent, before moving into higher education. However, after we were married, I quit my job when he was drafted by the Jets, and we moved.

I signed our oldest up for preschool, but it never lasted long. People would ask, "What are you looking for?" and I realized I was looking for a teacher like me. Because of my background in education, I had structured our home like a schoolhouse, setting up learning corners, without even realizing it.

Homeschooling fits our schedule and lifestyle, but it's about so much more than that: it feels like an assignment from God.

Another teacher helps me out

On a typical day, I require the kids to be "on" from 7 to 7. They wear uniforms Monday through Thursday. It's a way of teaching professional development. It's very important to show up in the world in a way that reflects who you are, and presentation is a big part of that. It's almost like etiquette training.

Today, the kids are 12, 10, 9, 6, 4, and 1 years old. We have a very individualized approach to learning, so sometimes they follow the same curriculum, and sometimes they don't. Right now, I have another teacher come in to help: she'll work with the big kids while I work with the littles, then we'll switch.

We want the kids to know they're our most important team

On game days, we get up early and have doughnuts for breakfast. The kids lay out their clothes the night before and complete their checklist. We aim to get to the stadium an hour before kickoff. The kids enjoy watching Dad, and especially love running onto the field with him after the games.

Even with our schedule, family dinners are very important to me. We typically have dinner together at 6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays during the season. If we can't do that because a child has an activity, we find time to gather together as a family before bed. We use video chat if Demario is traveling.

The kids need to know that although life is busy, they're extremely important to us and they're important to each other. We always tell them: we're the team.

• There are some UK Christmas traditions that people from the US haven't experienced before.
• Every Christmas, families gather to watch pantomimes or meet their school friends at the pub.
• They also eat Yorkshire puddings, mince pies, Christmas pudding, and Christmas cake.

If you call him "Father Christmas" instead of Santa Claus, you just might be from the United Kingdom.

Christmas in the United Kingdom differs slightly from celebrations in America and elsewhere around the world.

From what is traditionally served at a Christmas Day feast to festive activities and childhood traditions, families across the pond have their own unique and quirky ways of celebrating the holidays.

Something that's universal, though: the cost of the holidays and the anxiety it brings some families. A third of British people surveyed by YouGov in November said they were at least "fairly worried" about the cost of this Christmas and its effect on their finances.

Here are 18 British Christmas traditions that might surprise you.

Pantomimes, or "pantos," are plays performed around Christmastime in the UK.

Pantos are humorous, slapstick entertainment for the whole family, often featuring men dressed in drag. They are sometimes based on famous fairy tales or stories, such as "Cinderella," "Peter Pan," or "The Wizard of Oz." 

Pantomimes rely on specific tropes. For example, there's often a villain who will sneak up on the protagonist intermittently throughout the play. It's then the role of the audience to scream, "He's behind you!" to the main character while they struggle to figure out what's going on.

Yorkshire puddings are perfect with gravy, but people outside the UK may have never heard of them.

A traditional British roast dinner wouldn't be complete without Yorkshire puddings filled with Bisto or homemade gravy. Yorkshire puddings — not to be confused with sweet puddings — are made of eggs, flour, and milk or water.

After they're cooked in hot oil in the oven, they end up with a distinct hole in the middle. They closely resemble what Americans know as popovers.

While Yorkshire puddings are a common feature at Sunday dinners throughout the year, they're also eaten at Christmastime, although some argue they have no place on a Christmas plate.

Santa Claus is referred to as "Father Christmas."

While some in the UK refer to Old Saint Nick as Santa Claus, it is widely accepted that Father Christmas is his more traditionally British name.

"Santa Claus" is seen as an Americanism, and The Telegraph reported that even the British National Trust said that "Santa Claus should be known as 'Father Christmas' in stately homes and historic buildings because the name is more British."

British children hang Christmas stockings at the ends of their bed.

In America, Christmas stockings are hung by the fireplace with care. However, some British children hang their stockings at the ends of their beds for Father Christmas to fill up while they're sleeping. 

Christmas Eve is a time for school friends to reunite.

The Thanksgiving weekend is viewed in the United States as an opportunity for students to reunite with friends from high school or middle school. In the UK, it's a tradition for school friends to come together on Christmas Eve, often at the local bar or pub.

Christmas pudding is a traditional British dessert popular during the holiday season.

A Christmas pudding is a dense fruit cake often made weeks or even months in advance. This process allows the dried fruit to absorb the alcohol that's regularly poured onto the cake in the weeks leading up to consumption.

On Christmas, the cake is set alight and then topped with a sauce of brandy butter or rum butter, cream, lemon cream, ice cream, custard, or sweetened béchamel. It is also sometimes sprinkled with caster or powdered sugar.

For many years, Queen Elizabeth II even gifted each member of her staff a Christmas pudding from Tesco.

Another dessert of choice is Christmas cake, a rich fruit cake covered with marzipan and icing.

While fruit cake is certainly a polarizing dessert wherever you are, Brits seem to make it a little better with thick, sweet white icing. Often, Christmas cake is also topped with festive holly decorations. 

Mince pies are pastries filled with dried fruits and spices, traditionally eaten at Christmas.

The BBC reported that the first-known mince pie recipe dates back to an 1830s English cookbook. By the mid-17th century, people reportedly began associating the small pies with the Christmas season.

At the time, they were traditionally filled with pork or other kinds of meat, sage, and other spices. Nowadays, the pies are filled with dried fruits and sugar powder.

British Christmas desserts are often enjoyed with brandy butter.

The perfect accompaniment to Christmas pudding and mince pies, brandy butter consists of butter and sugar beaten together, with brandy added last. Rum butter is an alternative.

The result is still butter-like in consistency, and it's served cold alongside desserts. Americans might know it as "hard sauce."

Brits say "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas."

You might remember a scene from the first "Harry Potter" movie in which Ron says, "Happy Christmas, Harry!" While this may sound strange to an American, saying "Happy Christmas" is commonplace in the UK, as opposed to "Merry Christmas." 

Christmas crackers are cardboard tubes wrapped in brightly colored paper and twisted at each end, which two people pull for a fun surprise.

Christmas crackers are often pulled at the start of the meal, and the paper hats found inside are worn throughout the meal. Also inside each cracker is a "banger," which makes a loud pop when the cracker is pulled, a joke, and a small prize.

The jokes are usually cheesy and festive. For example: "Why did Santa's helper go to the doctor? Because he had low elf esteem!" 

However, be sure not to pack them if you're traveling to or from the UK on an airplane — they're not permitted to go through TSA in carry-on luggage.

"Top of the Pops" is a television special featuring performances of the year's most popular songs.

On Christmas, the BBC typically airs a holiday special of the since-retired show "Top of the Pops," featuring performances from the year's most popular musicians.

The program ran weekly from 1964 until 2006, when it was canceled. People were so upset that the BBC decided to keep the Christmas special, which airs late in the morning on December 25.

Millions of people watch the King's annual televised Christmas Day speech every year.

Every year, families gather to watch the royal Christmas address, informally known as the Queen's or King's speech.

The Telegraph reported that the first Christmas address was 251 words long, but Queen Elizabeth II later came to average 656 words in each speech. It is often one of the most-watched television programs on Christmas Day in the UK.

Christmas commercials are as talked-about as Super Bowl commercials are in the United States.

While Super Bowl commercials are highly scrutinized in the US, Brits pay just as close attention to Christmas commercials.

Not only is the John Lewis ad, or "advert," a Christmas tradition, but almost every supermarket and clothing brand tries to get in on the buzz with a talked-about Christmas commercial.

Brits also anticipate which song will become the annual "Christmas No. 1" single.

The British "Christmas No. 1" has been a tradition for over 50 years. Starting in 1952, the top song on the British singles chart has been a coveted spot every Christmas. Christmas No. 1 alums include The Beatles, Queen, Ed Sheeran, and more.

While some Christmas No. 1s have indeed been Christmas songs — "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II in 1989, for example — they don't have to be.

School nativity plays are a popular tradition in UK primary schools.

While religious elementary schools in the United States may put on nativity plays, they are arguably much more popular and part of the culture in Britain.

In the popular British Christmas movie "Love Actually," the characters even attend a Christmas nativity play.

Brits take advantage of after-Christmas sales on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is often referred to as the British equivalent of Black Friday, but there are notable differences between the two holidays. Boxing Day, which is a public holiday in the UK, falls on the day after Christmas and has a rich cultural history in Great Britain.

Originating in the mid-1600s, the day was traditionally a day off for servants. On this day, servants would receive a "Christmas Box," or gift, from their master. The servants would then return home on Boxing Day to give "Christmas Boxes" to their families.

In the UK, it can be bad luck to keep your decorations up for more than 12 days after Christmas.

Another difference between US and UK Christmas customs is evident after all the festivities have ended. 

In the UK, it's tradition to take down your tree and decorations 12 days after Christmas — known as Twelfth Night — to avoid bad luck in the new year.

In the Anglican tradition, Twelfth Night, or Epiphany Eve, is the day before Epiphany, which celebrates the coming of the Magi to baby Jesus and marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. 

• As a Connecticut local, I've got recommendations for the best places to visit here in the winter.
• Harborview Market and The Tasty Yolk are some of my favorite places to get breakfast in the state.
• Consider staying at charming spots like Delamar Southport, The Firefly Inn, and The Litchfield Inn.

As a lifelong Connecticut local, I've explored every charming corner of my little slice of New England.

Though the state can get chilly and gray during the winter, I treat myself to enchanting staycations and exciting experiences that brighten it up every December.

Fortunately, I've discovered tons of cozy local spots that feel like they're straight out of a Hallmark movie this time of year.

From enchanting bed and breakfasts to hidden-gem cafés, here are my favorite places in Connecticut to visit each winter.

Head to Kent Collection's Firefly Inn for a quaint weekend escape.

This Kent Collection boutique hotel reminds me of the Dragonfly Inn from "Gilmore Girls."

It's a great place for an overnight stay in New England — book the vintage railcar, cozy barn-style "bunk house," or more classic room in The Firefly Inn.

I love that so many of its spaces are complete with fireplaces, whimsical floral wallpaper, and other cozy details.

While in Kent, enjoy the falls and try some local bites.

A stay at The Firefly Inn is just the luxury you'll need after exploring Kent Falls — one of the tallest waterfalls in the state — and Bull's Bridge, which you can use to access the Appalachian Trail.

While in the area, grab a delightful fireside bite at Fife 'n Drum Restaurant & Inn, like its hearty house-braised corned-beef reuben or light grilled-shrimp salad.

Enjoy Litchfield's charming inn, cute cafés, and unique shops.

A stay at The Litchfield Inn is perfect for a charming New England getaway. This traditional-yet-modern-farmhouse-style boutique hotel is nestled on 10 acres in the Berkshires foothills.

While in the area, grab a peppermint latte and cinnamon roll from @ The Corner. Or, drop by Espresso 59 for a chocolate-marshmallow cookie or giant chocolate-filled cupcake.

Pop into Milton Market to peruse beautiful home-decor finds and maybe even treat yourself to a new canvas tote with a leather tag.

Delamar in Southport offers a sweet dose of coastal charm.

A weekend at the Delamar Southport is a delight — especially if you choose to indulge in a balancing stone massage.

The hotel is home to the Artisan, which I'd consider to be the best upscale restaurant in Southport. It's a great place for an intimate hangout over a fine bottle of red.

At dusk, curl up on an Adirondack chair by one of the property's outdoor fire pits for s'mores roasting.

Visiting Westport's Terrain café and home store feels like stepping into a snow globe.

Terrain has a few locations throughout the US, but I'm especially fond of the one in Westport.

The garden and homeware store is also a full-service restaurant, serving seasonally inspired brunch and dinner dishes.

I love sipping a mug of hot cocoa or a toasted-marshmallow espresso martini by the fire in Terrain's outdoor garden, surrounded by evergreen wreaths and trees (that are also available for purchase).

Over the river and through the woods is Aquila's Nest, where igloos and mulled wine await.

This darling winery is nestled in the rolling hills of Newtown.

Consider gathering a group of friends to participate in dreamy events at Aquila's Nest, such as wreath-making or pairing gourmet chocolates with wines.

For an elevated date night, book a wine tasting in one of the property's igloos or a luxury seasonal picnic.

The Mercantile at GrayBarns can help bring any Martha Stewart-inspired Pinterest board to life.

Grab an Instagram-worthy wintery coffee and a goat-cheese tartine before shopping at GrayBarns' country store along the Silvermine River.

It's regularly home to a range of seasonal pop-ups, from flower trucks to displays from high-end fashion brands.

It's not just a café-marketplace hybrid, either — the property is also a farmhouse-style inn with an upscale tavern where visitors can enjoy their meals by a rustic stone fireplace.

Harborview Market in Black Rock is a hidden gem for breakfast.

One of my go-to breakfast spots in the winter is Harborview Market.

Many locals head here for The Paisan — an omelette with prosciutto, tomato, pesto, and fresh mozzarella — and a seasonal cup of joe.

Find your own private table, or share one family-style with other diners. If the sun is shining, there's always seating on the patio.

Check out the T-shirts, sweatshirts, and coffee beans for a fun take-home gift. Personally, I never leave Harborview without buying a box of freshly baked sea-salt chocolate-chip cookies.

Stop by The Tasty Yolk for the best bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich of your life.

Every winter morning should start with a bacon, egg, and cheese — and The Tasty Yolk delivers the goods.

The local favorite breakfast spot has several locations and food trucks in the state, though I'm partial to the one by the Fairfield/Bridgeport line.

Even on cold days, I've seen long lines of people waiting outside this cute little food truck just to snag a warm, oversized breakfast sandwich.

Go shopping in downtown Greenwich to experience a quintessential New England vibe.

Grabbing food and doing some shopping in Greenwich is a perfect New England day trip.

Greenwich Avenue — known by locals as "The Ave" — is home to several high-end stores, like LoveShackFancy, and a slew of excellent cafés and restaurants.

I suggest grabbing an elevated brunch at The Cottage or coffee and freshly baked French pastries at Raphaël's.

Plan a winter hike and picnic at Sleeping Giant State Park.

Sometimes, the best plans are the simplest ones.

Bundle up and hike to Sleeping Giant — a small mountain in Hamden that's over 700 feet tall — for an incredible workout and views.

You can even have a cozy picnic in the state park; just be sure to pack a thermos of hot chocolate and pick up sandwiches from Meat & Co. nearby in New Haven before heading out.

• I've been divorced and sharing custody for five years, but my youngest just started college.
• Becoming an empty nester prompted me to reevaluate my living situation, and I decided to downsize.
• I had a few dealbreakers when choosing my new apartment.

When I got amicably divorced five years ago, I moved to a three-bedroom apartment across the street from my old neighborhood to make the 50/50 custody arrangement easier on our two school-aged kids. I loved mostly everything about my new abode, from the layout to the location.

However, as time passed, I noticed a few downsides, including thin walls, noisy upstairs neighbors, and rent that incrementally increased by a staggering $1,000 over the five years I lived there. This year, with my 21-year-old living with their dad and considering a move of their own, and my 18-year-old starting college three and a half hours away, I decided it was a good time to downsize.

I had a few dealbreakers when choosing a new apartment

I considered moving to a smaller apartment in my same complex, which would have made things easy. But I felt I needed a more symbolic break from my old neighborhood and my old life, especially now that physical proximity to my kids is no longer as much of a consideration as they forge their own lives.

I briefly thought about buying a condo or townhouse, but it's a very expensive metro area and current rates aren't great; moreover, I'm thinking of relocating to Europe in a few years to live with my long-distance boyfriend, so the timing just didn't make sense.

My search for a new apartment included a few deal-breakers: it had to be on the top floor to eliminate the chance of heavy footsteps or loud children above me, with a spare bedroom for visits from my kids and to double as a home office, and a balcony for some outdoor space. And it had to get decent reviews from current and former residents. In anticipation of a move, I followed the Marie Kondo method to purge belongings I had brought over from my former house and accumulated since, discarding or donating more than 25 trash bags.

I ended up moving to a top-floor apartment in a garden-style complex. It's a walk-up, so I need to climb three flights of stairs every time, but I figure it's good exercise, especially since I work remotely. And since I also travel and the kids no longer live with me, I'm not buying as many groceries as I used to, so there's less for me to haul up and down on a regular basis.

I now save around $1,100 each month, but made a few compromises to do so

My goal was to save $1,000 a month; to achieve that and secure the coveted top-floor location, I opted for one of their non-renovated apartments, which actually saves me around $1,100 a month in rent. It's admittedly a bit dated, with (albeit new) wall-to-wall carpeting throughout, aside from the vinyl plank floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as yellowish oak cabinets and black countertops. I prefer to avoid the harsh overhead lighting in favor of softer lamps.

The biggest drawback is the kitchen, which has way less storage space and older appliances than the flashy stainless steel ones I had in my old apartment. I bought and assembled a baker's rack next to the fridge to store my cookware and Le Creuset, as I love to cook, and I definitely underestimated the importance of a state-of-the-art kitchen.

But there are upsides. My new apartment is definitely quieter, with no loud footsteps or audible music from inconsiderate neighbors. The living room features cathedral ceilings and a gas fireplace, and instead of a busy road, my balcony overlooks trees and a serene water feature (it's a retention pond, but still). I unpacked everything in three days and decorated soon after, to make it feel like "home" as quickly as possible.

The biggest adjustment is the location. Though it's 20 minutes away in an area I'm familiar with, it might as well be an hour. After spending a quarter of a century in basically one area, I'm feeling a bit like a new transplant. There's still a pho restaurant nearby (one of my favorite foods), but it doesn't hit the same as the beloved one in my old 'hood. But I do love having a Trader Joe's right down the street.

The move has been a wake-up call that I still have too much stuff, so I'll be purging even more, including mostly everything in the spare bedroom closet. I'm looking forward to spring when I can hang out on my balcony and walk to the buzzy lifestyle center nearby. I keep reminding myself that this adjustment is inconsequential compared to how unfamiliar and foreign a move to Europe will feel, and that this is not my forever home. But it is home — at least for now.

• The US airlift fleet has a readiness problem for a modern war, an airpower expert argues in a new paper.
• The size, age, and lack of variety in aircraft could hinder the Air Force's plan to operate in a war with China.
• The Agile Combat Employment strategy would have aircraft operate across austere Indo-Pacific locations.

The US airlift fleet for moving troops, weapons, and critical supplies around the world is shrinking and growing older — a dangerous trend that could leave the military in a tight spot if war were to erupt with a major power, a new analysis warns.

In particular, the challenges facing the US Air Force's airlift force could undercut its plan for keeping units dispersed and survivable in a fight with China.

In a new Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paper, retired Air Force Col. Robert Owen, who flew C-130 transport aircraft during his 28-year career and also served in a leadership role at Air Mobility Command, argues the current size and state of the airlift fleet may not meet potential wartime demand.

"In a peer conflict," he warns, "the airlift fleet may not be sufficient to meet the movement, supply, and other logistical demands of the services."

"The US Air Force, in particular, may not have enough airlift to support its ACE concept," Owen says, referring to the service's Agile Combat Employment strategy aimed at disaggregating assets to make it harder for an adversary to cripple US airpower in a single overwhelming strike.

There are fewer aircraft available for carrying personnel and equipment into the fight, and the ones the US does have aren't the right, varied mix for a high-end war.

The US military relies heavily on a mix of C-17s, converted airliners, and helicopters to haul cargo, refuel aircraft, and move people between theaters. But many of these airframes are now decades old and sliding toward obsolescence, Owen writes. At the end of the Cold War, the mobility fleet was significantly younger, and the Pentagon had clear plans to replace it.

Some airlift aircraft, like the C-17, are already flying beyond their originally planned service lives. The Air Force's 52 C-5M Super Galaxies — its largest airlifters — now average 37 years old and suffer from low mission-capable rates, Owen notes. And these planes are not alone. Much of the mobility fleet is aging fast alongside other assets on which the Air Force depends.

Gen. David Allvin, then the Air Force chief of staff, said in March that average aircraft age across the force had jumped from 17 in 1994 to 32 in 2024 as aircraft availability dropped substantially.

Other military leaders have raised concerns about airlift capacity, recognizing significant drops from Desert Storm in the 1990s to now.

"All of these aircraft have been worked hard across three decades of non-stop combat operations around the globe," Owen said specifically of the airlift fleet. That presents challenges as the US focuses its attention more on higher-end threats like Russia or China.

The ACE strategy, Owens writes, envisions "fighter units and support echelons rotating frequently and unpredictably among networks of" permanent bases, semi-permanent installations, and forward arming and refueling points (FARPs).

While the first two basing options can be supported by prepositioned stocks and host-nation support, small fighter teams at dispersed FARPs could be dependent almost entirely on C-17s and other theater mobility aircraft to bring in the fuel, weapons, and people.

The Air Force has been training on its ACE concept for years, having airmen maintain, fly out of, and land across atypical locations like a simple airfield or even a stretch of highway.

The concept is that while many air bases are in range and easily targeted, China would be unable to devastate American airpower if it were dispersed across the Indo-Pacific at a mix of traditional and makeshift airfields.

But, Owen writes, the Air Force "has not acquired significant numbers of aircraft capable of operating at the lower end of this requirement — delivering combat equipment and supplies into short and weakly surfaced forward airfields — and has no publicly released plans to do so. The budgets are not sized for this mission growth."

Thus, efforts to expand and sustain the airlift fleet should be a priority for the Department of Defense, he says.

These issues are just some facing the Air Force, which has shrunk and aged in the decades since the end of the Cold War while also being stressed by counterterrorism and counterinsurgency conflicts.

Senior military leaders, former Air Force personnel, and airpower experts warn that even as the US grapples with shrinking fleets and declining readiness, China's air force is expanding and rapidly modernizing.

The US still retains significant advantages in stealth aircraft, global logistics, combat experience, and allied support, they note, but China's sustained investment in capability is narrowing the gap and changing the balance of risk.

• Travis Kelce's gameday outfits have gotten as much attention as his athletic performances this year.
• His best looks were bold in color and perfectly tailored.
• The football player's worst outfits, however, included shorts and a tracksuit.

Travis Kelce doesn't just stand out on the field.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end also makes a statement with his unique fashion each time he enters a stadium.

Throughout the 2025 football season, the 36-year-old athlete has worn a mix of standout suits, eye-catching hats, sharp jackets, and cool shades before games.

Some created memorable outfits, while others missed the mark entirely. Here are his best and worst gameday looks of the year.

Travis Kelce chose a questionable outfit near the start of the 2025 NFL season.

The top half of Kelce's suit looked great. He wore a blue Thom Browne jacket that was tailored perfectly, a matching tie, and a white undershirt.

Unfortunately, he styled the jacket with tight-fitting shorts that reached his thighs. The bottoms were too casual and didn't match his dark dress shoes.

Kelce, who played against the Philadelphia Eagles that day, completed the look with a $1,035 pair of Dita sunglasses.

He wore one of his best looks of the season the following week.

He arrived for a game against the New York Giants while wearing a blazer, vest, and trousers all in the same burgundy shade.

He also wore black dress boots, a white undershirt, and a matching pocket square. His square sunglasses, which retail for $725, were designed by Tom Ford.

The outfit was sharp, simple, and highlighted his Louis Vuitton luggage.

He opted for a suede set in October, but unfortunately missed the mark.

Ahead of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kelce donned khaki pants, a $2,650 Alfre button-up top from J. Logan Home, a brown suede jacket, and tan boots made from the same soft material.

Most of the outfit worked as a transitional set for fall, especially when paired with his suede duffel bag.

However, the suede newsboy cap Kelce wore dated the look. His overall outfit ended up resembling a costume more than a fashion statement.

Kelce kept things simple for a home game that month, and it worked for him.

He wore a $1,690 flannel top from Louis Vuitton, khaki pants, white sneakers, and Saint Laurent sunglasses before his game against the Detroit Lions.

It might not have been the most eye-catching outfit he wore this season, but it was contemporary and the epitome of quiet luxury.

A few tweaks could have improved the dark ensemble he chose for his next game.

When the Chiefs played the Las Vegas Raiders in October, Kelce entered Arrowhead Stadium wearing skinny black trousers, a striped collared shirt, and a cropped leather jacket.

The top half of his outfit looked good, especially with the help of his square sunglasses.

However, his choice of pants wasn't right. A baggier style would have made the difference, and some shining, silver jewelry could have elevated the overall look.

He made a statement in orange at the end of October.

Kelce wore Fendi for a game against the Washington Commanders.

His three-piece outfit included orange jeans with frayed hems, a classic white T-shirt, and a denim jacket painted in shades of white and orange.

The outfit was bold and complemented by his tangerine-colored shades. He also wore statement gold necklaces with diamond charms.

Kelce chose a '90s-inspired look at the end of November, but it was forgettable.

He entered Arrowhead Stadium for a game against the Indianapolis Colts wearing a Nike windbreaker, matching pants, and Air Jordan sneakers.

His accessories — a hat, sunglasses, and watch — stood out and added a stylish element to the look.

Still, the dark color and minimal design of his outfit made it forgettable.