Bob Dylan Was Right; The Times Are A Changing
5 changes you can make to your holiday traditions
In the last eighteen months, our lives got turned upside down. We’ve had to learn how to adapt to different lifestyles and change our expectations. Some have made their lives simpler. Many have learned their jobs aren’t as satisfying as they thought. Others have readjusted their focus. Several have made things work as best they can to keep their lives as close to the same as possible. There are people who like and embrace change and ones who hate changing and resist it. And some that go with it because it happens, not because they started it.
Changes are the one thing that is never in short supply. Every change we make is either an improvement or a never do again option. Few changes are ever just so-so decisions. We either grow to love or dislike them.
Even though this year, families are sort of gathering again, it’s still not going to be the Christmas we remember from childhood. Instead of fretting over how to do our old traditions in this new era of living, wouldn’t now be a great reason to begin new ones? I vote for finding new ways to celebrate the season of Joy, Hope, Peace, and Love. Thanks to technology, our world is smaller than ever. I researched and found a few simple ideas to bring new Christmas ways into our established family culture.
Listed here are five Christmas traditions gathered from around the world. Each is simple, easy, and won’t break your holiday budget, nor will they tax your downtime. Try them out. Who knows, maybe you’ll find one that becomes the new holiday tradition in your world.
ENGLAND
In medieval times, hanging pomanders around a home in winter was thought to keep away sickness. Now we know that doesn’t keep colds at bay, but the fresh scents lift our spirits. This practice was brought over to America when the English arrived in the colonies. It died out not that long ago. I remember doing this as a child. Pomanders were oranges tied with ribbons and studded with whole cloves. The scent alone can fill a room with warmth. Who doesn’t like to feel warm on a cold night or dreary-looking day? This is such an easy way to refresh our Christmas spirit.
CHINA
Not a country known for its Christmas holiday or religious celebrations, China has a lovely winter tradition practiced this time every year. Apples wrapped in cellophane are given to friends and family members as a gift. You can take a plain, flavorful apple and wrap it or go a step beyond. Dip your apples in caramel or chocolate. Get wild and dip them in both. Giving gifts of sweets is always gifts gladly received.
JAPAN
Christmas isn’t a big day in Japan, but they have a tradition we can readily embrace. Kentucky Fried Chicken sells more meals in Japan on Christmas Day than they thought possible. This whole concept came about in 1974 with a marketing campaign, and it’s grown steadily every year. Yes, our fast-food chain is closed on Christmas Day, but why not bring home some on Christmas Eve instead? Don’t like KFC? No problem. Bring home the family favorite. Spare your cook from having to make one more holiday meal. Take care of it by turning Japanese for a day.
NORWAY
When you’re done with the last bit of cleaning on Christmas Eve, don’t forget to hide your broom. In Norway, it has long been believed that evil spirits and witches go house to house looking to steal a broom to ride; keep the joy in and evil out of your home this Christmas by hiding your broom.
ICELAND
As a writer and avid book lover, this, to me, is the best tradition to embrace. On Christmas Eve, people exchange a book and chocolate. Then they sit up all night reading it and enjoying some of nature’s goodness. If they fall asleep, they pick up where they left off when once more awake. What better way to disconnect from the world than with a good book? If you want to do more than a book or candy, gift them with a cozy throw and some tea? Hot tea, a warm blanket, a good read, and chocolate. Does it get any better than that?
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali, or not, the end of the year is a perfect time to show appreciation to those who have been there for you in the previous eleven months. Consider taking one of these customs and using it to show others how special they are to you. It should never be the size of the gift that matters to the receiver, but the thought put into it.
Family traditions are constantly adapting as times keep changing. Decorating styles change. Traditonal colors get switched to modern ones and childhood decorations come back in fashion as retro. Why not embrace a different way to celebrate this season, even if it comes from a different culture? Their simplicity may help you relax more, stress less, and enjoy the moments that pass by too quickly. Christmas is the time of year we remember most in our old age. Make the most of your time this year by seeking out new ways to enjoy the season of Advent.Remember this is the season of Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope. Ideals that we should have in our life already but are hard to achieve when the stress of getting everything just right and cramming everything in weighs us down. Relax instead and enjoy the holiday moments even if it means changing your traditions.
