Holidays are often the happiest of times and the saddest of times. For some people, the holidays conjure recollections of warm celebrations with family and friends. For others, they trigger memories of loss and feelings of loneliness. If you have disabilities due to a neurologic condition, you may experience a mix of emotions as you cope with changes in routine and the seasonal pressure to be joyous and participate in festivities.

Over the years, some patients have told me they'd like to skip the whole season and fast- forward to January 2—a confession they're often afraid to share with their family, lest they dampen the holiday spirit or spoil the season. Even raising the specter of holiday anxiety is something they hesitate to do, preferring to suffer in silence.

But for someone who has a chronic neurologic condition, it's important to set expectations well in advance. Make time for an honest conversation with your relatives about your priorities. If you have mobility problems, and travel—even short distances—is challenging, mention that concern. If you have dietary restrictions and the social pressure to indulge is upsetting, give hosts the opportunity to work with you on the menu. If cognitive problems make changes in routine or location disorienting, offer to hold some events in your home. Make sure the invitations have a workable start and end time, and ask for help hosting. If the noise and chaos of large gatherings or the anticipation of fielding unwanted questions from well-meaning relatives are daunting and generate anxiety or stress, clearly relay that you'd prefer to sit those occasions out.

I also advise my patients about the importance of rest and taking scheduled breaks. Airing your concerns in advance allows your family the opportunity to suggest solutions, even if that means giving you a pass if that's what you'd like most. You may all discover that some traditions are important, while others are not. It also gets to the core of what the holidays really mean to you.

The biggest mistake we can make is to assume we know what others want or what is best for them. And the greatest gift we can give is to acknowledge preferences and respect and honor other people's wishes. But we can only do that if those wishes are spelled out for us.

In this issue we offer recommendations on how to make the holidays enjoyable for all from people with a variety of neurologic conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. As always, I've found that the best advice comes from you, our readers. If you have a holiday story you'd like to share, please write to us.

Wishing you a calm and joyful holiday season,

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief