Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of IHeart Radio.

Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's tip is that every other year works too.

Traditions can still be a part of your life, even if you don't always make time for them. Today's tip was inspired by some conversations I had while working on my

annual holiday fun list. Each year, I make a list of things I would like to do over the holidays,

to make memories and have fun. Of course, December is always a busy time with kid performances,

and this year I am singing in two choirs. Thanksgiving was also really late this year.

So there is just a limited volume of days,

and particularly weekend days, before Christmas. That means we may not make it to all our usual spots, but that's okay. Just because something is gone for one year doesn't mean it is gone forever.

Every other year works as well. You can keep things feeling new while still having them feel

familiar by striking a good balance. For instance, we went to see the Rockettes in New York City last

year, and we are going to go this year.

But it is possible that next year we will be traveling more in December, and we won't prioritize it.

But we might go again the next year, since then we will be feeling more like we are missing it.

Same thing with performances such as the Nutcracker.

If you are not a regular patron of the ballet,

going to the Nutcracker every year can feel like a lot of ballet. But every other year means you are still seeing a lot of the Nutcracker in life, and it will probably feel more fresh each time.

Maybe one year you drive to a light

display that's 45 minutes away in one direction. And the next year, you prioritize a different one

in the other direction. You can switch it again the next few years and still get to see both

regularly. I think this is a good mindset

because sometimes when something that has been an annual tradition

can't happen in a particular year,

...