Medlin Law Firm - December 2025

Festive Fun Made Easy Traditions That Won’t Cost a Fortune

homemade ornaments from everyday supplies. Popcorn and cranberry garlands, paper chains with gratitude notes, and handmade snowflakes instantly transform your space into a festive wonderland. For extra coziness, plan a movie night complete with blankets, popcorn, and your family’s favorite holiday classics. Creative Crafts and Tasty Treats You don’t need to buy pricey kits when you can create your own fun. Build a gingerbread house from scratch, or whip up batches of cookies and let everyone go wild with frosting and sprinkles. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, make birdseed ornaments from pinecones and peanut butter, then watch the backyard come alive with feathered guests. Outdoor Adventures Bundle up and take a nighttime drive (or stroll) to admire the best light displays in your town. It’s a free way to soak up the magic of the season

together. If you’re lucky enough to get snow, the options are endless: snowmen, forts, snow angels, or even a friendly snowball fight. And when it’s too chilly to stay outside, warm up with hot cocoa by the fire. Share the Holiday Spirit The season feels even brighter when you spread joy beyond your own home. Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a local nursing home, attend a school holiday concert, or deliver handmade cards to friends and neighbors. These simple gestures leave lasting impressions and remind everyone what the holidays are truly about. Cozy Traditions That Last For a touch of nostalgia, start a new tradition like sleeping under the Christmas tree one night, creating a DIY advent calendar, or hosting a family game night with holiday music playing in the background. These small rituals are the ones kids and adults both look forward to each year.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Suddenly, the calendar is full, stores are packed, and wallets feel too light. But here’s the truth: The most memorable moments don’t come from expensive gifts or elaborate trips. We spark them from laughter, creativity, and time spent together. Whether you’re looking for cozy nights in or adventures out in the crisp winter air, here are fun, low-cost holiday activities for the whole family. Festive Fun at Home Let’s turn home into holiday central! You can wrap your front door like a giant present, or craft

Holiday Travel and Immigration Risk SHOULD YOU TAKE A TRIP THIS SEASON?

The holidays often involve travel, but for people with pending immigration cases, hitting the road or flying out of state can bring more anxiety than excitement. If you or a loved one is waiting on a green card, DACA renewal, asylum status, or any adjustment to legal status, it’s important to understand the risks of travel, even inside the United States. Let’s start with domestic travel. Technically, you can travel within the U.S. with valid identification and no specific restrictions from a judge. But domestic flights can still be risky if you’re undocumented or your pending case is complex. TSA officers sometimes notify Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if a traveler presents foreign-issued ID or lacks valid papers. This doesn’t mean you will be detained or deported, but it raises the risk of legal complications.

situations, leaving the U.S. without Advance Parole (official travel permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) automatically causes your application to be denied. Even if you’re approved to leave with Advance Parole, reentry is never guaranteed. CBP officers at the border have the final discretion on whether you’ll be allowed back in. So, should you travel at all? Generally, it’s safer to avoid travel, especially international, while waiting on a green card, asylum decision, or other benefit. The rules are strict, and the stakes are high. If you must travel, speak to an immigration attorney first. We can help you determine if travel will jeopardize your case and whether Advance Parole or other options apply to your situation. There’s no such thing as “just a quick trip” when your future in the U.S. is on the line. If you have questions about traveling while your case is pending, the team at The Medlin Law Firm is here to help.

International travel is even riskier. Leaving the country while your immigration case is pending could mean giving it up entirely. In most

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