For most people, the holiday season brings with it a feeling of fondness and nostalgia. This is a time where memories are created and lovingly placed in our family archive as a “must repeat next year.” This is what makes it a tradition. While some traditions are similar, they vary from family to family, state to state, ethnicity, and country. Weather, food and religion play a major part in this. Here is a look at some of the traditions throughout the United States.
Thanksgiving
Food and thankfulness. This holiday primarily centers around these two, and for most, kicks off the beginning of a six week celebration where friends and family gather on a regular basis to spend time together. Each family, no matter the location, size or ethnicity, has a list of their favorite foods. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce. Mashed potatoes. sweet potato pie. All across the country you can hear, “It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it.” For one family in Bangor, ME, creamed spinach must be on the table. In Randolph, VT, another family’s tradition includes only one maker of the mashed potatoes allowed. For a family in Chicago, IL, there is no cranberry sauce unless it comes from a can and is sliced on a dish and their turkey is deep fried.
Some use the month of November to give thanks each day for three things. It is a time of reflection for the things God has done in their lives. Others use it as a time to serve. One family eats their dinner in the evening because they are found at a food shelter serving thanksgiving dinner to the homeless who otherwise would have no place to go. For a family in New York City, if they can’t be present at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, they at least tune in online or through T.V. After all, it’s a tradition.
While some see Thanksgiving as a time to gather around the table to eat and enjoy the good and familiar food, others are excited to see it come and go because the moment it is over, out come the Christmas lights. Black Friday is the next day and the shopping begins.
Christmas
Regardless of which part of the country you live in, the Hallmark Christmas picture is that of snow, sleighs, and real Christmas trees. New England, or the Northeast, is probably the most quaint of places for the Christmas holiday in which you visit the Christmas tree farm and cut down your own tree. Old barns are filled with warm wood stoves, steaming hot chocolate, and baked goods. For some, picking out a tree together as a family is a must, to start off the Christmas season. Some start the day after Thanksgiving, while others wait until the very beginning of December.
Music & Movies
Christmas music is something that can have strict rules for some. In one family, they begin the Christmas celebration with “Spirit of the Season” from the Polar Express soundtrack. Others start the season listening to the Jackson 5 Christmas Collection. “We are not allowed to listen to Christmas music until December 1st, and it starts of with that song,” says Alex from Vermont.
One family has had a Christmas Movie Marathon every year now for over 15 years. Friends gather at their house and bring with them their slippers, a dish to share and a dessert. It begins at 10:00 in the morning and goes until the last man falls. “It’s my favorite day of the year. Even more than Christmas,” the host said. When the Muppet’s Christmas Carol comes on, it is said you can hear the entire crowd singing along to the famous tunes.
Presents
In Tulsa, O.K., the Pickens family stay in their pajamas all day. Others get new pajamas each year. For a family in New Hampshire, tradition says the paper stays on the floor until all of the presents are opened. Then and only then can you clean up. In North Carolina, the presents are opened on Christmas Eve, instead of Christmas morning. This started years ago when they allowed one present to be opened on Christmas Eve and then caved into the requests from their children to open another. “Go for it,” they said. And it’s been a tradition ever since. Some families rotate who plays Santa and distributes the gifts from year to year.
For many families, it wouldn’t be Christmas without attending a Christmas Eve Church service. Even those who do not attend church on a regular basis can be found inside a church on this holiday, holding a candle and singing the famous hymns and Christmas carols that bring about a feeling of warmth and worship.
New Years
Some celebrate and some could care less. The tradition to stay up until midnight to see the new year in clashes with the tradition to go to bed and wake up the next morning like every other morning. Some attend a ‘Watch Night” service at church, bringing in the new year with worship. Still, there is a majority of people who celebrate with the traditional countdown to midnight and then bring the house down with cheers, kisses and hugs. For some, watching the countdown with the famous Dick Clark is a must in order to celebrate this holiday traditionally. All over the world you can find people taking part in this holiday and celebrating it as a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate.
Traditions help ground us and create who we are. The important part of tradition making and keeping, is to include Jesus in all we do. Give thanks to the one who died for you and provides for you as you share your Thanksgiving meal. Remember He is he best gift we could ever receive on Christmas. Recommit your life and begin a new year centering around Christ. He is our all in all.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -Colossians 3:17
