Traditions can be an integral part of celebrating the holidays and everyone has their own customs.

Every year Regina and her husband Jeff pick out a new ornament for their son Tyler. It’s a tradition they started the year he was born and each year they try to choose ornaments based on Tyler’s interests like Star Wars, Baseball, and Steelers. “Now we have this whole tree full of memories and Tyler will take them with him when he leaves the nest,” said Regina. 

Holly and her mother Glenda always bake cookies. They usually make peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies, and pumpkin cookies. They also make pumpkin rolls. We here at the Chamber are big fans of Glenda’s baking. 

Nicole is already on her way to Cincinnati to spend the holidays with her family. They eat a traditional Italian Christmas dinner of antipasto, fish, and spaghetti aglio e olio.

Every year Jen’s father hides a small pickle ornament somewhere in their Christmas tree, tucked away out of sight. Jen and her sister then scour the tree to find the ornament and the first one to do so wins an extra gift. According to my exhaustive research on Wikipedia there are a number of different origin stories attributed to the tradition, including an origination in Germany, but it is now thought to be an American tradition created in the late 19th century. 

When Sloane was little her mom and dad drove her around Carroll County to look at all the beautiful Christmas lights. Now that Sloane has a family of her own, she and her husband will be taking their daughter Annlee to look at the lights decorating Nemacolin. 

Sarah’s grandma started the tradition of making tacos with all the fixings on Christmas Eve and even though she has passed the tradition continues. 

My wife Tasha and I share a tradition whereupon we can never wait until Christmas to give each other our gifts. This year I’ve somehow managed to only give her 2 of her 3 gifts early but there’s still a few days left until Christmas Day and I might not be able to hold out…

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? We’d love to know! 

We here at the Chamber wish you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Enjoy your time with your family and friends. There will not be a new Chamber Blog post next week but please check back the following week for more content!