Yoga Off The Mat - Holiday Edition

Many, many years ago, someone told me about a holiday tradition in their family. Each year the kids received a single Christmas ornament specifically for them. It went onto the family tree each year. When each child became an adult and moved into their first home, they received another ornament for Christmas but they also were given all of the ornaments that they had received each year as a child. I don't know if you remember putting up your very first Christmas tree, but mine was filled with the unimaginative shiny balls that came in a box of 12 or 24. They didn't have a personality or a story to them.

For a girl who grew up in a home with very few Christmas traditions, this tradition really spoke to me. Holidays in my childhood were a time of stress, anxiety, and not feeling seen or heard as an individual. 

However, having fun and meaningful traditions was something I wanted to do for our children. I wanted Christmas to be a time of fun, laughter, and good memories.  I started buying ornaments each year, but not just any old Christmas ornament. Each one was picked out with love and careful consideration. What was the personality of each child? What would make them smile? 

It turns out that this was the greatest tradition of the many holiday traditions that our family created over the years. After Thanksgiving (that's a whole other discussion), we pulled out the Christmas tree and the boxes of ornaments. The whole family would participate in carefully removing each ornament from the storage boxes and mounds of tissue protecting them from damage, Part of the ritual was figuring out which ornament belonged to which family member and having that person place it on the tree. It became a fun game filled with laughter and connection. This was a heartwarming part of each Christmas. 

Throughout the year, we were constantly on the hunt for a way to connect that person's personality with the holiday decoration to adorn our tree. From handmade ornaments to handblown glass to someone's favorite Harry Potter character, there were so many options. Each child had their own unique personality traits, passions, and desires. 

The personalized ornaments became an expression of love and connection. I hope that my children enter into their adult lives with a greater appreciation for the uniqueness of their partners and their own children. Most of all, I hope they have a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of themselves. 

Holidays can be incredibly stressful when we are so focused on the expectations of others and worrying about getting that one perfect gift. This holiday tradition helped to keep us grounded by reminding us that while the gift giving was fun, the meaningful part of the holiday was in the time we spent together each year. I hope that as our children make their mark in the world, they also take with them the presence to remain grounded in the traditions they continue or create in their own homes as a way to cultivate connection and share love with their own families.