12 Days of Christmas: traditions for young and old
Handmade, homemade, and full of family, the Christmas season brings with it a variety of traditions.
It just so happens to be my very favorite time of year, but who doesn’t love a room full of people who care a whole bunch about each other around a warm fireplace with hearts all aglow?
Whether you live close to family or not, there are plenty of opportunities to make and keep family traditions for yourself wherever you may be for the holiday season.
For me, the holidays growing up were always spent buying gifts for family members, hiding presents from each other as siblings, and trying not to break open the presents that were hidden by mom and dad. There were Christmas parties with family and friends, lots of yummy food and tales of stories of old.
The Christmas tree was decorated with homemade elementary school ornaments made by tiny little hands. We shook every present under the tree to decide what we were getting for Christmas that year.
Each year gave us the opportunity to visit Christmas lights all over southern Idaho, even right in our own neighborhood and backyard. Not a season went by that we didn’t plan at least one night, if not two or three, to bundle up and walk or skip joyfully through the different light displays.
Christmas Eve was spent making and eating a variety of Christmas treats and delivering the rest to our loved ones and neighbors who meant so much to us, all while trying to contain our excitement that Santa would be visiting us in just a few short hours.
Wrapped in pjs and blankets, we watched classic holiday movies like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Annabelle’s Christmas Wish” until we all fell asleep. They still remain a few of our favorites to watch year after year.
Giggly cousins and Grandma’s pies brought the family together, while Grandpa shared the love he has for his family and the memories that have shaped our family into the people we are today. Grandma never let a year go by without giving a gift to everyone, showing how much she really cared about each and every member of her growing family. No Christmas was complete without the singing of Christmas carols and the distribution of presents to cousins and other relatives.
Traditions that I thought would grow old when I left home have become more magical. Whenever I pack my measly college bags and head for home, usually in the middle of a snowstorm, I begin to reminisce on what those holidays really meant to me.
They weren’t about the amount of presents under the tree, or about what we thought our favorite present was. It wasn’t about the fancy trips we didn’t take or the grandiose celebrations we didn’t always have.
As I’ve started to reflect and share my childhood traditions with others, I’ve come to realize that traditions aren’t about the commercialism that besets us as humans and mere mortals so often. Traditions are about the people you choose to share them with and the special connections they help you to make. They’re about the joy and togetherness of family, the service rendered to strangers and closest friends alike.
There are many different ways to celebrate this magical time of year.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas and celebrate with those who mean the most to you. You just might find your own special traditions for you and your loved ones to enjoy, regardless of how big or small your celebrations this year.
Here’s wishing you and yours a happy holiday season!
—kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu
@kortniwells