Tradition

The holiday festivities continued on and {sadly} came to an end this past weekend, as we celebrated Orthodox Christmas with a big dinner, like we do every year, and I started thinking about tradition. It's what binds families together. No matter how dysfunctional, how big or small or crazy or not your family is, you no doubt have a set of traditions. For some, it's having a certain dish every Christmas. Or getting together to make that dish. Or watching sports together every Sunday or working on puzzles or hosting a weekly brunch. Whatever it is, it's important. I don't like messing with tradition. Like I said, it brings people together. And who doesn't want that?

The traditions in my life take on many forms--there are traditions with my family, of course, but then there are some with my friends, my sorority, the boyfriend, and so on. I think you can have traditions with yourself, too. Like treating yourself to a day of pampering on your birthday. Or putting together a scrapbook at the end of each year. It's real quality time, where you can slow down and do this one little thing that, in the larger scheme of things, means so much. Anywho, this one is more of a religious & cultural tradition, and of course.. it involves food. We celebrate Orthodox Christmas every January, and it's great to have yet another celebration to look forward to after Christmas and New Year's Eve have come and gone. For us and many families I know, this means getting together with loved ones and eating one of my favorite meals. Rice with sweet cooked raisins and apricots, fish, quiche, wine, potato salad. Et cetera. I tend to equate tradition with comfort, too. There's just something to be said about sitting in the warmth of grandma's house, eating this whole home-cooked meal and sharing something so traditional with the people I'm closest with.

I know the holidays are technically over, but I'm curious.. what are some of YOUR favorite traditions?