traditions
Holiday traditions come and go
BY EMILY HARVEY ON DECEMBER 18, 2014
Christmas traditions come and go every year; some stick for a while, and some only last a year or two. We have traditions with our families that we remember taking part in since we were babies; we have made our own traditions with our friends. We participate in annual events with our churches and community, and eventually we will make even more new traditions as we become college students, spouses and parents.
Every year my parents and I put up our Christmas tree after Thanksgiving. My dad wrestles with the lights until they end up on the tree, and my mom and I adorn the tree with ornaments. I have always loved our tree because it’s filled with decorations that my brother, cousins and I made when we were little; it’s full of happy memories. We also make sure to put out our Nativity scene each year. I used to play with it when I was little so baby Jesus is no longer attached to his manager, but we love our Nativity scene nonetheless. Ninety percent of my family live in the the North Carolina mountains, so sometime during winter break, my parents, brother and I head up to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, family pets, etc. Typically a ping pong tournament occurs between the men in our family and board games (currently Settlers of Catan is a favorite) take over the dining room table after the chocolate pie has been cleared away. Last year my group of friends and I decided to play secret Santa. We had so much fun with this game that we decided to draw names once more and relive that experience again this year. This game has now become a tradition for us. On the last Friday of school before break, we all get together and give our last secret Santa present. We eat, sing T-Swift, and reveal who each of us had for secret Santa. I love you, gal pals, and I’ll remember this tradition next year when all of us are in different parts of North Carolina. I wasn’t able to attend the Joy Gift program at my church this year, but my mom and I typically go see this during the Christmas season, even though I’ve outgrown being able to play one of the little angels. My mom and I also go see the Nutcracker, put on by North Carolina Academy of Dance Arts, every year. This year seeing the Nutcracker was even more exciting because some of my best friends earned the lead roles, such as Clara and Court Princess, because of their talent, hard work and seniority. Traditions, old and new, arise around the holidays each year. We all have the opportunity to participate in old traditions with our families, and make new traditions with our friends. The traditions that I have in my life, especially around the Christmas season, mean the world to me. Shout out to all of my friends and family that make the traditions I’m involved in possible; I love you guys. |
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