As we enter the holiday season once again, there’s a familiar excitement in the air. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve and Day all bring with them a season rich with tradition, each holiday carrying memories of family, food, and faith (and, yes, for many, football!). These holidays often make us think of traditions—those customs passed down through generations that bring comfort, joy, or in some cases, pain.
At its core, a tradition is something we repeat year after year, an act that ties us to the past. Tradition, by definition, is “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation” (Oxford Languages). Yet, like all things, some traditions evolve, others fade, and some eventually come to a quiet end. Sometimes it’s because younger generations no longer feel connected to them, or perhaps no one wants to take up the role of organizer. And in other cases, traditions simply slip away, becoming memories instead of routines. When this happens, it may stir a sense of loss for some, while others may feel indifferent.
Some traditions may be best left behind. Not all customs are beneficial, and in some cases, they may even be harmful. It makes sense to question what we continue to practice and why. When traditions persist simply out of habit or nostalgia, without meaning or benefit, they may lose what’s important. It’s the sense of purpose that keeps a tradition alive, not the mere act of repetition. Yet, we’ve all seen people cling to traditions fiercely, as though they’re as valuable as a purse guarded against a determined thief.
So, what traditions are important to you? How would you feel if you had to let them go? Would you defend them passionately, or would you welcome the freedom to create something new? Are traditions meant to last forever? Realistically, nothing does.
Yet, even if a tradition fades, its memory endures. And memories are powerful—they can carry the essence of a tradition forward, even when the act itself has stopped. I think back to Christmas dinners spent at my grandmother’s house, with all of my family gathered around. When she passed away, those holiday gatherings moved to my great aunt’s home, and after her, to my mother’s. Though the location and faces have changed, those early memories remain vivid, and they anchor me to my meaningful past. The original traditions haven’t vanished—they’ve just evolved, creating a blend of past and present.
Our memories of loved ones and the time we spent with them live on. Even when they’re no longer with us, they stay in our hearts, a reminder of the joy they brought into our lives. During the holiday season, as we gather with family and friends, those memories sometimes bring a sense of sadness for the ones we’ve lost. Yet that pain is softened by the warmth of our memories.
This season, cherish the people close to you. Celebrate the traditions you love or start new ones. But no matter what you do, have Happy Holidays, filled with love, memories, and joy.