Throughout time , families have carried on holiday traditions and as children grow and start their own families , these traditions sometimes remain and sometimes change . Some families have lots of traditions , some have one , and some don ’ t have any .
Wikipedia defines a tradition as a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past . Holiday traditions become a part of our families and an essential aspect of how we celebrate with the ones we care about the most . They build bonds between family and community , give a sense of belonging , and connect us with our history .
If you are looking for a new tradition to begin this year , try out the Passionate Penny Pincher ’ s Reverse Advent Calendar with your family , where each day you add an item on the list to a box and on Christmas Eve , or on a date close to it , donate the entire box to a local food pantry . Maybe start simple by watching a classic holiday movie or making a meal together .
Whatever tradition ( s ) your family partakes in , just remember it ’ s not about creating or maintaining the perfect family tradition , it ’ s about experiencing it with the ones you love . Below are some locals sharing their traditions with the Athens Daily Review and their stories and photos are appreciated .
Jennifer Browning
“ When I started dating my husband , he informed me that Thanksgiving was always held at his family ’ s ranch . This was a tradition that his grandparents had started and each year family and friends were invited to join and sometimes there ’ d be 50 + people . He was never sure how all the food showed up , but there was always an abundance of food and fellowship and our family continues that tradition to this day .”
Holiday Traditions
By Jennifer Browning
Cassie S .
“ We always take a ride on The Polar Express in Palestine in our matching Christmas pajamas . Our family attending The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Family Christmas Pops Concert is my favorite gift every year , as there are always fantastic crafts for the kids , a visit from Santa , amazing music , and snow falling from the ceiling .
We also always make cookies for Santa in our “ Waiting up for Santa ” pajamas and we put out deer corn for his reindeer .”
Laurie D .
“ For the holiday of Chanukah , my family has many traditions . First , we decorate the house with items I ’ ve collected through the years including a large collection of dreidels . Each night after dinner , we light one or more of our Chanukah menorahs . We have special prayers and songs we sing during the candle lighting and often spin the dreidels that cover the dining room table . We also have an electric menorah , which we place in our front window so it can be seen by people walking by our house .
We eat a lot of special foods during Chanukah , some of which I make only once a year . These include latkes , which are potato pancakes , and apple ring fritters , both fried in oil . The oil is symbolic because the story of Chanukah involves a lamp which had only enough oil for one night , but miraculously lasted for eight nights .
Chanukah is also a holiday in which we exchange presents . When our children were younger , they would open one present every night . Now that our children are grown , there ’ s still a lot of gift giving , but there ’ s less emphasis on having gifts every night now .”
Joni L .
“ I don ’ t really have any special traditions . We are simple and enjoy opening gifts after the Christmas Eve service and saving something for the next morning .”
14 | Greater Athens Magazine | December 2022