In many families, traditions have been passed down for generations. Sending cards, putting up a tree, lighting advent candles or a menorah, wrapping gifts, preparing special foods. In my extended family, we have many specific foods that represent the Christmas holiday season: various cookies, special breads and cakes, delicious dinners. I have Jewish friends who celebrate Hannukah and prepare special foods like latkes (fried potato pancakes), sufganiyot (fried jelly donuts), gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil), brisket, and kugel (noodle casserole).

Traditions can often dictate when gifts are opened. As a kid, we were allowed to “open” our Christmas stockings - delving into candy, nuts, oranges, apples, and one or two small gifts - before the rest of the family was awake and gathered. The gifts under the tree had to wait until Mom and Dad said it was okay. Some families allow the opening of one gift on Christmas eve while the rest are opened in the morning. I have been known to allow gift opening throughout December so appreciation and enjoyment can be drawn out. It also helps avoid overwhelming little people with stacks of gifts and expectations. Some follow the 12 days of Christmas, where they get a gift on each of the days from Christmas to what is called the Epiphany. There is a lot of story wrapped up in the 12 Days of Christmas, and we’ll save that for another time.

While they are warming and meaningful, with changes in family dynamics, whether through moving, divorce, or the passing of loved ones, traditions sometimes get lost or altered to fit the new reality. In a time of pandemic, many long-held traditions are being made over to fit the fact that travel and gatherings have been necessarily limited. Zoom, Facetime, and other video calls and get-togethers have boomed and created a new means for connecting. While it doesn’t replace being physically present with loved ones and friends, it helps to ease some of the longing for connection.

Whatever the occasion, finding and incorporating a tradition that works for you and your circle can be incredibly rewarding. It may take trying some on to see if they fit, and you may need to tweak them until they feel just right.

If you are looking for something new to try this year, look no further. In Iceland, they have a wonderful tradition of giving a gift of books, opening them on Christmas Eve, and spending the rest of the evening reading and drinking cocoa. It’s called “Jolabokaflod” - meaning “Christmas book flood” - and you can read more about it here: https://jolabokaflod.org/about/founding-story/

The thought of enjoying a good book for an entire evening (reading alone or aloud) sounds fantastic. If you are in need of some books so you can start this tradition, stop into the bookstore and browse our selection. If we don’t have it, we can usually order it - though it’s a little late to get them in time for Christmas. It could also be a great New Year’s tradition! Who knows, reading might just catch on…