When I was young, we had holiday celebrations that we no longer do. As an adult, I’ve created traditions for myself that time and circumstances have changed. I’m at the point right now, where there are only very few traditions that we continue to hold on to. I will share them with you now, and also share the traditions that I’ve had to let go, but want to embrace again someday when I have the means.

Of all of the traditions from my childhood, the only ones we still do are stockings and cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. We used to do lots of presents and family gatherings and baking, but all of that has gone due to finances or distance from family. My mom does still decorate the living room and we put up a tree, but that’s the extent of it.

As far as personal traditions, this year I have four that I will be able to do: listening to Christmas music from Thanksgiving through Christmas, re-reading favorite Christmas stories, watching a Christmas movie each day, and participating in a card exchange.

But that leaves out so many other traditions that I have not been able to do the past few years, but will hopefully be able to incorporate again in the future when I have an income again:

• Exchanging gifts with family on Christmas morning
• Participating in Gift Exchanges
• Fulfilling Angel Tree wishes (in the past I have done wishes for children and shelter pets)
• Donating/Supporting an assortment of charities (either straight donations or purchasing from their shops- St. Jude’s has an amazing shop that utilizes a lot of the patient’s artwork).
• Participating in blanket, coat & toy drives (I have been able to divert some of my groceries to give to food drives, but it’s way less than in the past).
• Attending the Nutcracker Ballet and other special Holiday shows (in past I’ve also done the Seattle Men’s Chorus and a Christmas dinner cruise)
• Attending a Light Tours (there are a few options locally, but they charge admission and I have difficulty driving at night)

What are some of your traditions?