Killer Questions: Our Favorite Holiday Traditions

Killer Questions – Our Favorite Holiday Traditions

With so many holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s now behind us, we thought it would be interesting to compare our favorite holiday traditions.

Debra H. Goldstein: I have two favorite holiday related traditions. One is simply gathering together as a family to light the candles for Chanukah and then to play dreidel for pennies. The other is one Jewish families also often do – going out for Chinese food on Christmas eve.

Sarah E. Burr: Christmas movies and Christmas carols. I love to sing, and holiday songs are just so stunning. "O Holy Night" and "We Three Kings" are two of my favorites to belt out whenever, wherever.

Grace Topping: My absolute favorite holiday tradition occurs on the first Saturday in December, when the City of Alexandria, Virginia, holds its annual Scottish Christmas Walk through Old Towne Alexandria. Alexandria is the site of the first Scottish settlement in the New World, and the Scots come out in full force to celebrate. The Walk features bagpiping bands, Scottish clans walking behind banners proclaiming their clans, representatives from Dundee, Scotland, the sister city of Alexandria, antique cars, groups of dogs from breeds originating in the United Kingdom, everyone throwing candy to the kids along the route, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the end. The Walk has been the kick-off for the holiday season for my family for the past 35 years, and my grown children come into town just for the event. My husband is always so concerned about getting parking that we have frequently been the first people standing on the street awaiting the event.

Lori Roberts Herbst: We collect ornaments from places we travel. Getting them out every year is a way to relive our wonderful memories.

Kait Carson: Growing up we had two hard and fast Christmas traditions. The youngest child fixed the angel to the top of the tree, and the person who found the pickle ornament received a special present-usually cash. An antique mouth-blown pickle still takes pride of place in my Christmas ornament collection.

Judy Murray: I have many but if I had to choose it would be the overnight Christmas Day evening with everyone under one roof. 

Korina Moss: Doing all the holiday things leading up to Christmas, so that Christmas Day is just staying home in our pjs in front of the fire and relaxing, then eating Chinese food for dinner. All the holiday things usually include: walking through the Holiday Lights Spectacular at the RWP Zoo, visiting the display of gingerbread houses at the library, visiting Yankee Candle village, and spending a couple of days walking through the Christmas magic in NYC.

Heather Weidner: Enjoying time off with family and friends, looking at all the holiday lights, and decorating for Christmas.

K.M. Rockwood: Every year, we'd put on our PJ's, ready for bed on Christmas Eve, then hang our "stockings" (really one of our best sturdy pairs, usually hand-knit red wool) and then my father would read or tell Christmas stories. He'd start with the poem A Visit from St. Nicolaus, go on to the traditional Christmas Visitor, and add one of his own Lucky Left Hind Foot rabbit stories. In later years, The Grinch joined the list. It was my favorite part of the holiday.

Marilyn Levinson: Going around the table, each person saying what he/she is thankful for.

Shari Randall: For Thanksgiving. Honestly, we all just eat until we can't take another bite.

Paula G. Benson: When I was growing up, my Grandfather, succeeded by my Aunt, were the postmasters for a one person run post office where we sent our presents. I remember going with my Mother to our local post office. She always mentioned where our package was being sent. It was a recognition and an appreciation that the post office kept families connected.

James M. Jackson: Shanksgiving: We share a thanks-giving dinner with our neighbors on Shank Lake on a convenient weekend when people are available as we are apart on Thanksgiving.