Right on schedule, I set my table for Christmas dinner about 2 weeks in advance. I like admiring the table for a bit before it all gets cleared and put away. Sometimes, I like the anticipation of a holiday or special occasion more so than the holiday itself. I find the occasion always comes and goes too quickly.
To celebrate the holiday, there are a handful of traditions I look forward to year after year.
Setting The Table
My mother taught me at a young age the importance of setting a table. Even if you’re serving take out, plating it on a dish really sets and elevates the tone for a family meal. On Christmas Eve, my family typically went out for dinner, but we always made a home cooked meal for Christmas Day. There is something about family, gathered around the table together enjoying a meal that creates special memories.
Christmas Cookies
In keeping with a Boova family Christmas tradition, Wes and I baked my Nana’s peanut butter kiss cookies. I have such sweet memories spending the holiday with my cousins and grandparents in Hershey, PA each Christmas. Although we won’t be together in person this year, I’m glad we all be enjoying these cookies together, from afar. If you recognize these classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses – here you may find the delicious recipe.
Gingerbread House
Maybe it’s the designer in me, but even as a child, I absolutely loved decorating gingerbread houses. Building one with Wesleigh this year was definitely a test in patience as she tried to eat most of the candy decorations (and walls)!
Christmas Eve Gifting
Another tradition I’m looking forward to this Christmas Eve is opening one present. I forget when this started, but my mother was always so excited to open the gifts (she bought for herself, mind you) so one year on Christmas Eve we began a new tradition of opening one gift each. The rest were saved for Christmas morning. This ritual is special to me because it’s something my parents and I started together, that now I get to continue doing with Wes.
Giving Back
I’ve mentioned this previously, the importance of giving back. Whether it’s a fit between a passion and meeting a need or supporting a cause after a loved one gets sick, everyone in my family gives back in different ways throughout the year.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions and ways to give back?
Images by Julia D’Agostino
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Inspiration is a woman
This year was so different…. The fact that we were forse to stay at home made us to offer so very little…… I hope next year will be better and make us give more through the rest of the year!
Lindsey Harrison
Here’s hoping!