For most people, the holiday season is a special time of the year. They tend to spend it with loved ones, to reflect on the year that has passed, and to celebrate the joys and traditions of the season.
Oftentimes, the holiday season is all about family (and friends). People tend to have special traditions that they follow every year, such as decorating the house together, baking cookies, or singing carols. For others, the holidays are a time to reconnect with old friends, and to make new memories.
Many people also have personal rituals that they follow during the holiday season. These rituals can be as simple as taking a walk in the snow, sipping a cup of hot cocoa, or watching a favorite holiday movie. Others may have more elaborate traditions, such as attending a religious service, participating in a gift exchange, or volunteering at a local charity. Since rituals are all about the meaning and intent behind them, they depend on what people value.
Regardless of what their rituals may be, the holiday season brings a sense of comfort and coziness to many people. It is a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and to connect with the people and things that matter most.
The Centaurs shared below their favorite holiday traditions and rituals. What are yours?
Reaching out to loved ones
Marilyn: Going through my whatsapp and sending messages to everyone whose name makes me smile :) Even if it’s cliche to get in touch over the holidays, I think (and hope) that it puts a smile on the receiver’s end regardless.
Watching a comfort movie with good snacks
Marie:
As a personal ritual, I always look forward to a quiet movie night watching “Love Actually” while drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows. It used to be a ritual that I shared with a close friend but now that we live in different countries, I continue to do it alone.
Tala: For nearly 20 years, I have watched Ron Howard’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on the 24th of December. I get cozy and comfortable, have some yummy holiday snacks and watch the movie with my cats, my husband, siblings, whoever happens to be around that year.
Secret Santa
Karma: Every year, we throw a secret santa with my extended family. It’s a simple and cute ritual that brings us together. Another ritual is that every holiday season my friends and relatives abroad visit Lebanon, and we always catch up over good food and drinks. It’s something I look forward to every December!
Preparing meals
Daniella: Every year, I look forward to our family gathering where each of us prepares their favorite dish and contributes to a delicious Christmas eve dinner. It's really fun when we all share our food and comment on its taste turning it into a cooking contest! It quickly became a yearly challenge for the family.
Family tombola
Maya: Every year my grandpa used to prepare a tombola. We all gathered after Christmas dinner and picked from a basket, pieces of paper that had prizes on them. We used to get toys, chocolate, money, and many other gifts. After he passed away, we preserved this ritual and do it every Christmas in his loving memory. We all feel happy and sense his presence when we do it. Our Christmas is never complete without this tombola.
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