Our Holiday Traditions: Families in Transition

Outdoor Adventures

Consider a Saturday hike up Old Rag to catch the views of the last of the Fall leaves and walk off some seasonal calories! Another family votes on a different daytime adventure each year to do on Christmas Eve. Possibilities in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area are pretty diverse, with activities like Christmas Markets, ice skating, holiday light viewing, and special services at the Washington National Cathedral to choose from, so its easy to try something new each year.

Holiday Prep In and Out of the Kitchen

With some basic supplies, a soundtrack of favorite tunes, and friends and neighbors, there are all sorts of activities that can be a traditional part of preparing for the holidays together. For example, a wreath-making party with lots of yummy treats and bubbly can be transformed into other craft activities to prepare ornaments and other decorations. Since the season is all about cooking and eating, find a family traditional favorite like krumkake, pasteis de nata, galletas, or other sweet treats passed down generations to teach the next generation to make. Its also fun to share samples of these cookies with friends and neighbors as a way of connecting during the holidays. Decorating gingerbread houses or ordering Amys toffee are other things less likely to cause a mess in the kitchen.

Christmas Eve and Day at Home

In the US, families traditionally celebrate Christmas on December 25, but why not have a Christmas Eve celebration as well? One of our families has an annual viewing of the Dr. Seuss classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and they only eat green food and make something special to drink that is green. On Christmas day, plan for more than presents. Another family connects through their love of basketball, so they study the line-ups of the best games to watch on Christmas Day, which they spend together enjoying good conversation and a few NBA games. When it comes time to clean up, let the whole family work on it together and then wrap up the evening with board games and conversation.

From our families to yours, we wish you safe, happy, and memorable holidays. We are here for you if you need us.