New Holiday Traditions
“Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather’s house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ‘tis Thanksgiving Day.”
That is the path many of us followed throughout our lives, as Lydia Marie Child suggested in her Thanksgiving poem. However, lately, new traditions have been forged. Some as a result of COVID, some not.
One of those people who are doing things differently is Stephanie Shockey of Muncie, Indiana.
She had this to say: “Well, due to lack of community festivities, I thought it would be fun to make popcorn the older way instead of in the microwave. We got cranberries, and we strung them with needles and some string for the Christmas tree. Now my 20 yr old thinks we need to do it every year. We do it while watching White Christmas.”
Starting new traditions because of outside conditions is not necessarily a bad thing.
Tara Ball of Raleigh says, “The whole family would get together for thanksgiving before covid. Since then, it’s just been my household getting together with these pictures of my family so they can still “be there” with us!”
As much as I hate the saying, this, in fact, is the “new normal,” at least for now.
Some, like Pam McGovern, are being more creative than ever when it comes to their holiday celebrations. “We added some new elements,” she said. “To our holiday festivities since it was just immediate family! Had wine tastings on our deck with the firepit going strong! We also sat around the firepit having dessert, hot chocolate with bourbon marshmallows or baileys!”
Creativity has played a part in a number of new traditions. In fact, Pennie Sticks told me, “We started 12 days themed gifts for a teenager and our rescue dog with a scavenger hunt twist! This year we hope to expand (to elderly parents minus the scavenger part) and possibly a different theme!”
Aimee Creamer of Palmyra, Virginia, said that last year “I put my Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving and it was glorious. So I’ll be doing
it again!”
Some, like Pam McGovern, are being more creative than ever when it comes to their holiday celebrations. “We added some new elements,” she said. “To our holiday festivities since it was just immediate family! Had wine tastings on our deck with the firepit going strong! We also sat around the firepit having dessert, hot chocolate with bourbon marshmallows or baileys!”
Creativity has played a part in a number of new traditions. In fact, Pennie Sticks told me, “We started 12 days themed gifts for a teenager and our rescue dog with a scavenger hunt twist! This year we hope to expand (to elderly parents minus the scavenger part) and possibly a different theme!”
Aimee Creamer of Palmyra, Virginia, said that last year “I put my Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving and it was glorious. So I’ll be doing
it again!”
Getting into the holiday spirit earlier than normal may be a new tradition for the Creamers, but I’d be willing to bet that they aren’t the only ones. In a world that seems a little darker than usual, the holiday spirit is just what is needed.
On the flip side, however, some have started new traditions that they hope won’t last. Like Colleen Shriver, who says, “Unfortunately, I did not shop local and hope that tradition doesn’t continue.”
Susan Lee, who lives in Duck, went the same route as Shriver, “Yes, I ordered all my gifts online.”
Finally, people who live on the other side of the country look at things slightly differently. For example, in Newbury Park, California, Craig Burns said, “Well, I drink Bourbon, Scotch, Vodka, and Gin all year. But I only drink Egg Nog at Christmas. Does that count?”
Sometimes new is better. Sometimes it isn’t. I, for one, would be happy to ride in a “one-horse open sleigh again.” Well, except for having snow on the ground for the sleigh. There is a reason why I don’t like living in the north.
Author: Greg Smrdel
Greg Smrdel, while his physical body lives in Ohio (for now), his soul will always remain on the Outer Banks.
