The best time of the year is almost here, and I am so excited1 I’ve been a Christmas girl all my life, and as soon as the weather starts to cool off, I start checking out my holiday decorations in the garage including the menorah, and the kinara because we also acknowledge Hanukkah and Kwanzaa (among others) in our home. And with a grandbaby that turns one next month, we’ll introduce her early to the holiday traditions that have brought us so much joy over the years, as well as new ones we learn.
The year-end celebrations are particularly special to us because, even more than gifts, they are all about tradition. They give us so many chances to remember the amazing holiday moments we’ve celebrated with mom, dad and siblings, and the ones we’re passing down to our children and grandchildren.
For many women, these weeks carry an especially deep and special meaning. We are the daughters who watched, the mothers who organized, and now the matriarchs orchestrating it all . . . all the while searching for our eyeglasses during the assembly the Christmas village . . . of which we are very proud, by the way.
Once upon a time, I thought the holidays meant racing to find the perfect toys and gifts and staying up all night on the Eve to wrap them; to find the ideal gift for mom, who doesn’t need anything; and dad, who doesn’t want anything. I will admit that when my kids were young, I bought way too many gifts when they usually only asked for one or two. Now, it’s about creating peace, beauty, and a house that smells like love. And we also try to do for families who may have nothing, which has been the real lesson for me and my kids. To see the joy of others when they receive a small artificial tree with lights and decorations. or a turkey with bags of vegetables for their holiday, means the world and demonstrates why we should more grateful for all our blessings.
We are also grateful to the many friends who have shared their holiday traditions with us over the years. It has enriched our lives tremendously to understand how others celebrate and to incorporate some of their practices into our special days. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are two celebrations that we acknowledge on a regular basis.
HANUKKAH: LIGHT, LAUGHTER & LATKES
Though our family is not Jewish, many of our friends are, and over the years, they’ve taught us the meaning of their very special holiday celebration taking place in November or December. Hanukkah is an eight-day tradition celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem that happened in the second century BC. Each night a candle on the menorah is lit and family members play games, exchange gifts, and share meals to honor their history.
KWANZAA: CULTURE, COMMUNITY & CANDLELIGHT CONVERSATIONS
Though some readers may be at least somewhat familiar with Hanukkah, some of you may be asking, what is the Kwanzaa holiday? Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa is a beautiful reflection of unity, creativity, and community, and for many people, it’s a chance to reconnect with cultural roots, family history, and the joy of shared purpose. It focuses on seven guiding principles known as the Nguzo Saba which represent (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba), and faith (Imani).
Families celebrate by lighting one of seven candles nightly on a kinara, sharing traditional foods, music, poetry, and storytelling, and reflecting on the importance of cultural identity and togetherness. It is a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and build a stronger future rooted in community and pride.
CREATING NEW TRADITIONS THAT REFLECT WHO WE ARE NOW
You’ve earned the right to celebrate the holidays your way. Maybe you volunteer at a food pantry instead of cooking all day. Maybe you book a getaway to a quiet cabin, a beach resort, or just the sofa with a holiday movie marathon and a glass of something bubbly. One of the best parts of our day has always been to choose a movie or two to watch together as a family, following Christmas dinner. Lots of laughs and family fun across the generations.
And while you’re at it, think about mixing up your holiday playlist. Here’s where the young people come in. Ask for their ideas on what songs to play at your family celebration. You might be surprised to see a holiday rap song on their list but think about how harmoniously it may blend with Silent Night or Joy to the World. And it will certainly be a conversation starter around the dinner table (be sure to keep it a secret until the big day).
FINAL THOUGHT
Traditions may shift, recipes may evolve, and lights may flicker, but the heart of the holidays remains the same: connection, laughter, love, and just enough chaos to remind us we’re still in the game. So pour the wine, turn on the lights, and celebrate boldly, because Aging Out Loud means never dimming your shine.
If you’d like to learn more about global traditions during the holidays, check out one of the books below:
~~~ There are so many traditions from around the world that are celebrated during the holiday season. Which ones do you and your families enjoy the most? ~~~
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