Together for the Holidays!

Hello! I hope you’re having a phenomenal holiday season. Christmas has just passed and I was blessed to spend it with my amazing family. We’re a lovely mix of strangeness with varied ideas, political standees, faiths, and more…but we absolutely cherish each other's differences and enjoy the joyous season. 

There are so many beautiful cultures around the world, it’s hard to conscientiously celebrate all of them.  Through different celebrations and traditions, there are several things that can bring us all together.

One of the biggest parts of the holidays, and a personal favorite, is that you get to spend dedicated time with those that you love.  Since we’ve had to deal with CoVID, family has become even more central to holidays.  

Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not talking about blood families only.  This time of year brings to light the people that have become a part of your inner circle.  They are valued in your life and are often a part of however you celebrate.  Whether or not you exchange gifts, this part of the holidays is definitely one of my favorites.

An old tradition around this time of year that many people still take part in, is the greening of your home. Now, Christmas has taken this tradition and tied it in with the holiday, however, this tradition is older than Christmas itself.  

Traditions of holly, greenery, wreaths and more find their origin as early as 70 AD when Druids would harvest mistletoe from a sacred type of oak tree.  The next big record of holiday greenery is in London, England around 1444.  Homes were decorated with ivy, bay, and any other evergreen items that could be found.  As the years passed, additional traditions evolved.

Did you know that kissing boughs were a thing? They used to be extravagant collections of greenery, fruits, paper flowers, and ribbons decorated into the shape of a globe.  These were downgraded to only single pieces of mistletoe which takes us back to the druids.  Even with traditions that bring us all together, there are still so many varying traditions!

Another opportunity that we have during the holiday seasons is to take the time to reflect on the year prior. We discuss what has gone well during the year, and reminisce on the ways we’ve all changed for the better. You can take time to rest with your friends and family, stay inside where it is cozy or go on an adventure while the weather is cold. If the cold isn’t your thing, then you are going to probably be someone who stays inside with a warm blanket, the perfect cup of tea or cocoa, a good movie or a good book.  Spending time with others when things are cozy can help develop even stronger bonds of friendship and love.

I find that another big part of the holiday season is the fact that if we only pay attention, we can learn so much about other cultures and holidays.  I don’t know every holiday out there, there are so many of them!  However, whenever I meet someone who celebrates a different holiday than I do, it is such a wonderful experience. Having conversations about different holidays, their beliefs, and how the holiday is celebrated helps me be more aware and connected to others.  It’s so special to share that moment of awareness and learning with someone.  

As you go through this season, it’s important to also remember that the seasons can be difficult for many different people.  Keeping an open mind and understanding that others may not appreciate talking about the holidays.  Plus, you can continue to be open, receptive, and ready to accept the blessings of love, care, and shared experiences from others. I hope you all stay kind & have a beautiful holiday season!