The holiday season invites us to slow down, reflect, and connect with loved ones. Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Festivus (thanks Seinfeld!), Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day, rituals and traditions can bring meaning and depth to this time of year. Here are some ideas to infuse the holidays with fun, honor your grief (often intensified this time of year!), and create new traditions for yourself and your family.
1. Playfulness: Infusing Joy into the Season
Holidays are a great excuse to get silly! Laughter and lighthearted activities can strengthen bonds and create memories that your family will talk about for years to come. You’ll often say, “Remember when?”
Here are some ideas to bring more fun to your celebrations:
- Play Games: As grown-ups, we don’t play enough! Try getting silly and host a family game night with holiday-themed activities. One side of our family has a tradition of playing “Minute to Win It” games at Christmas. It’s a hilarious way to bring multiple generations together.
- Make Art/Cook Food: This festive season inspires creativity! Invite friends or family over to decorate cookies, string popcorn garlands, or create DIY ornaments. Play holiday music, serve hot cocoa, and watch holiday movies together.
- Get Outside: Embrace the cold! Go sledding, ice skating, or take a winter hike. For New Year’s Day, consider starting a tradition like an annual bike ride or a polar plunge to welcome the year with a thrill.
2. Honoring Grief: Navigating the Holidays with Tenderness
The holidays can also bring up feelings of loss and longing, especially if you’re missing loved ones or experiencing other life transitions like divorce, moving, or managing a health crisis. Honoring grief can be a healing part of the season.
- Create a Memorial Ritual. Light a candle or set up a small altar with photos and mementos of loved ones who have passed. Share stories or toast to their memory during a family meal.
- Change it Up! If traditional holiday meals or gatherings feel too painful, consider something different. When my Mom died in 2016, our first Thanksgiving without her was spent at a restaurant. Choosing lobster, her favorite dish, was my way to honor her.
- Give Yourself LOTS of Grace! It’s okay to say no to events or traditions that feel overwhelming. Instead, choose activities that nourish your heart, such as journaling, meditating, or taking a quiet walk in nature.
3. Creating New Traditions: Designing Rituals That Resonate
Every family evolves, and the holidays are a perfect time to create new traditions that reflect your current stage of life and values.
- Vision the Future Together! On New Year’s Day, gather as a family to create vision boards or write intentions for the year ahead. Discuss a word or theme that inspires everyone for the coming year.
- Share the Hosting Duties. If your family is spread across different homes or cities, take turns hosting holiday celebrations. This not only shares the responsibility but also allows for unique regional or cultural touches.
- Shop Small & With Intention for your Gift Giving. One of my friends years ago told me that her family chose a theme each year. One year it was “consumables” so everything given needed to be eaten! Another friend has a family that draws names and makes gifts for one another. Of course, you know I’m a fan of the #shopsmall movement and supporting artists in your own town—and of course, this year, I’m hoping you’ll support Asheville-based artists especially. Including looking for jewelry and books and gift boxes at my website.
Remember these important tips:
- Communicate, communicate, communicate! Reduce stress by establishing expectations early. Decide as a group whether to exchange gifts, prepare a potluck, or focus on experiences instead of material items.
- Mind your pennies! Holidays don’t have to be expensive. Handmade gifts, white elephant exchanges, or drawing names can simplify gift-giving while keeping it special.
- Be inclusive! Invite friends who might be far from family to join your celebrations. Consider a Friendsgiving-style holiday dinner or a New Year’s brunch.
The holidays are a mix of joy, nostalgia, and often complexity. By balancing playfulness with moments of grief and incorporating meaningful rituals, you can create a season that feels authentic and fulfilling. Reflect on what truly matters, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas that bring you and your loved ones closer together.