The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, togetherness and cherished rituals. Whether it’s a tradition passed down through generations or a new way to celebrate, these special moments bring the season to life. We asked our readers to share what makes their holidays meaningful—here are six reader traditions that capture the spirit of the season. (Ashley's sister and nephew (pictured above) join in on the fun too.)
Ashley says: We make wreaths each year. It’s actually our friend’s tradition that has become a favorite of ours. Every year our friends host a wreath-making party. My husband will go with them to cut cedar in the morning, and we’ll all meet back at our friend’s house to eat chili and assemble our wreaths. As the kids have gotten older, they love getting to help decorate a wreath, and the oldest kids have started making their own wreaths.
Jack says: On Black Friday instead of shopping I always take the children camping overnight. It gives mom a day to rest from Thanksgiving and a chance to transition to the upcoming Christmas holiday. On the way back home the next day the kids and I pick up our Christmas tree and decorate it and the house that weekend.
Ximena says: Since our family is part Uruguayan, part Argentinian and part American, we do quite a mix! We put up our tree and trim it on the 8th of December. When the girls were little, I would sometimes do an Advent calendar of “experiences,” so we would make a holiday craft or homemade ornaments or read a book. If it was a gift, it might be holiday pajamas. The last two were always holiday movies and driving around town to see everybody’s holiday lights. Then we celebrate with family and friends together on Christmas Eve, having dinner and opening gifts at midnight and typically celebrating until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus deliver gifts at night just for our family, so we sleep in and have a beautifully intimate Christmas morning with a family brunch. Our decorations stay up until January 6, because we celebrate the Three Kings. Ourgirls would put their shoes under the tree on the night of January 5, and the next morning they’re filled with goodies.
Rebecca says: I decorate a table for the hanukkiah and gifts. I used to make the latkes, but as the kids have grown, they’ve started shredding the potatoes and onion, and we take turns frying them while my mom makes the brisket. After eating we argue about the right way to light the hanukkiah since they’re seen on both sides, then we light them in the decided order, and then dreidel begins. We’ve saved years of chocolate gelt that has grayed over the years, which is only supposed to be used for betting. Occasionally I hear kids daring each other to eat one and inevitably someone does and they all cackle in disbelief. Then the gifts are passed out. Everyone is supposed to open just one. Then arguments kick in again about “well we might not make it tomorrow” or “one more is OK,” but ideally it should be one a night for eight nights.
Chelsea says: On Christmas Eve, my mom, sisters and I cook a traditional Italian holiday meal called the feast of seven fishes. It features pasta dishes and a variety of seafood. We usually cook a few familiar dishes and add in some new recipes too, but either way we spend the entire day cooking together and making memories.
Seraine says: My son’s birthday is Christmas Eve, so we celebrate his special day with a family gathering for a taco bar, cake and presents. On Christmas Day, our son wakes up and opens a few gifts from us (an item to wear, a book to read, a gift he wished for and something he needs). Our extended family gathers for brunch and another evening meal before playing games, including a hilarious Pass the Parcel game. A family member brings a gift wrapped several times in various types of paper. Our family gathers in a circle and the first person puts on oven mitts and gets 30 seconds to try and unwrap a layer. Once the timer is up, it goes to the next person to try. The person who gets the final paper off keeps the gift. It’s a riot and we look forward to it each year.
