Hi there, dear Reader!

Earlier this week, I was re-watching episodes of Parks and Recreation. What stuck with me, though, was “Article Two” (S5, E9). My favorite subplot in this episode involves Ann and Ben: they are both, separately, bidding against each other for an old waffle iron in honor of one of Leslie’s made-up holidays. As fans, we expect this. We love Leslie’s creativity and enthusiasm to celebrate each of these special moments for her loved ones.
Ann Leslie and Benn

So think of that in the context of the holidays. I love this season purely for the level of excess in every event (#capitalism). The lights! The 50-types of cookies! The TREES! Everyone wants to host everyone! Myself included. Death to my healthy eating, and HELLO to indulgence!

Where I identify with Leslie is my Cheesemas. Yes, I do that. It’s exactly what it sounds like: I invite everyone over to eat a variety of cheeses, with cheeses and cheese puns in equal measure. I take great pride in it and figured that if I’ve spent most of my year being a depressive, reclusive monster, I should at least be a bit more open-hearted and invite everyone who has been kind to me to my made-up holiday.

Cheesemas spread, one of three tables Yes, I had more food than this. No, I didn't take enough pictures beforehand. Yes, more cheese did show up.

This time last year, I was insistent on having my own traditions. I told myself that one day, I’d have a family and will want to celebrate special moments beyond the Hindu and raised-in-America holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving). Plus, it’s fun!

Then there’s the thing where this was a year of unravelling. Personally, I didn’t feel as active or outgoing as I’ve been before. Truly didn’t even feel like I deserved to celebrate Cheesemas again (I know, so dramatic), but some incomprehensible-holiday-state-of-bliss convinced me that if there was one thing that could make it all better, it was Cheesemas. “Let people into your life again!”

What I hadn’t realized until recently, though, is that I’m already letting a lot of people in. I’m actually celebrating really wonderful, funny things with really wonderful, funny people on days beyond Cheesemas with this corny thing.

Which comes back to you, Basanti Brunch readers. The holidays make me sentimental, what can I say?

Earlier this year, I came back to writing a regular newsletter because I felt inconsolable and alone, so the Internet wasn’t going to make it worse. A tradition in itself is a ritual, and somehow, writing about dumb shit rescued me. You helped rescue me. A DM or an email made me weep of gratitude, some of you became IRL friends. My eyebrow aunties and regular aunties told me my newsletters made them laugh.

It’s silly, right? I don’t care. Thank you. These small gestures were incredibly generous. I feel so lucky that so many of you still rock with this little experiment I’m running to this day.

As I told everyone at Cheesemas, Life is Gouda with you. I sincerely hope you continue to stick around, and I hope we make 2019 a little brighter together.

Rest assured, I have one more newsletter in the bank before the New Year. Yes, it is a year-end list and yes, I will talk about the Ambani wedding.

But for now, here’s to you: for showing up, for sharing, for helping me celebrate the small, sentimental things.

Merry merry to you and yours!

With gratitude,

Upma