Family Traditions I Love and the New Ones I’m Starting This Year
Growing up, the holidays were everything in my family. My mom is one of what feels like thirty something cousins, so every major holiday meant one destination: my great grandmother’s house. I can still picture it perfectly, the basement packed with relatives, the men crowded around the dartboard, kids running around, and the women upstairs in the kitchen, talking, cooking, and laughing. That house held so much life, so much noise, and so much togetherness.
But as the years passed, people moved, families changed, and some we loved deeply passed on. Like all families do, we created new traditions.
Thanksgiving Eve: Same Bar, Same Crew
One of my favorite traditions that has formed over the years is our Thanksgiving Eve meetup. My mom’s cousins, my great aunts and uncles, and the same people I grew up with at my great grandmother’s, all somehow end up at the same bar the night before Thanksgiving.
This year was no different. The night was full of laughs, hugs, and catching up with the people who helped shape my childhood. The hangover, however, was a different story. But worth it. Always worth it.
The Holiday Progressive Party
Another long standing tradition is our holiday progressive party, usually held between Christmas and New Year’s. We bounce between two or three houses, eating, drinking, and celebrating the year behind us. It is our chance to see people we have not seen in months, to meet new babies or new significant others, and to simply be together. It is chaotic and loud, and it is perfect.
A New Christmas Tradition at Pop Pop’s
As we all got older and created our own families, splitting holidays became more complicated. So last year, we started a new tradition by celebrating Christmas the weekend after Christmas at Pop Pop’s house.
Honestly, it might be my favorite change ever.
Everyone gets to spend Christmas Day however they want, and then we all come together for our own big and very loud celebration. There are sports on TV, endless whiskey and wine, a white elephant gift exchange, and karaoke, which is my personal favorite part. My cousins and I, all thirteen of us, crowd around the dining room table playing cards until Pop Pop finally kicks us out.
Christmas Eve With My Niece and Nephew
Last Christmas Eve, I started my own little tradition by spending it with my niece and nephew. Seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes again was pure magic. We watched Santa drive by on a fire truck, gave my nephew a new toy, watched Christmas movies, and of course enjoyed some wine with his moms. It was cozy and simple and perfect.
Christmas Day at My Brother’s
Christmas Day was spent at my brother’s with my parents and my sister in law’s family. Last year it was just little Luke running around, and we received the best gift of all when they announced that baby Graham was on the way. This year he is here with us, and I cannot wait to spend the day with both of them.
Carrying On a Childhood Tradition
Growing up, my parents always gave us a new Christmas ornament each year. Now that I have my own little family, which is Eric, Penny, and me, I have started doing the same. I might have gone overboard, first getting one for each of us, then Eric and I exchanged some, and then I bought two more. But the tradition is here and that is what matters.
New Traditions With Eric
Since Eric and I moved in together, we decided to spend the actual holidays apart so we can each be with our own families. Then we celebrate afterward in our own way, which honestly feels very special.
We are also starting a few traditions of our own:
Stocking stuffers only with no big gifts
Sharing an experience instead of presents, maybe an Eagles, Flyers, or Sixers game, or a really nice dinner out
Visiting Christmas Village and Miracle on 13th Street every December
Watching Christmas movies and eating more cookies than we should
Baking cookies for his students, something I am genuinely excited about
Looking Ahead to the Season
There are so many great things happening this holiday season, both old traditions and new ones that Eric and I are building together. I cannot wait to enjoy every moment and to share it all with you.
-D
