It’s now officially December...so you know what that means - the holiday season is in full swing!
For me, there is never a dull moment during this time of the year. You can always catch me rocking around the Christmas tree lol. And, actually one of my absolute favorite things about the holidays is all of the traditions. From movie marathons to baking cookies and everything in between. Each and every year I look forward to getting to recreate old traditions as well as creating new ones. Twenty twenty, like every other part of the year, has definitely brought forth a bit of a challenge for this - however, I am never one to back down from a challenge. Yes, our holidays may look and even feel a bit different this year; but that doesn’t mean that we need to scrap our favorite traditions and push them aside entirely. So, some may need a lil bit of tweaking and tinkering. Some sprucing up a tad if you will (see what I did there hehe). They don't call me Tessa the Elf for nothing...ok no one really calls me that but myself, but that's beside the point lol. Listed below you will find some of my favorite traditions - as well as some of the top traditions celebrated by most all over the world - and tips and tricks on how to continue them on during these still trying times <3
Christmas Tree Hunting / Decorating
For those who celebrate Christmas such as myself, this is one of the most looked forward to traditions of the whole season. My family has always been real tree enthusiasts; while up at my apartment here in OC my roommates and I have an artificial one. As a kid, I always LOVED going to the Christmas tree lot. The smell of the pine instantly brought a smile to my face and transcended me into a holiday wonderland. The Zalfen household always loved hunting for the chonkyest of trees. We have a TON of ornaments (this will be elaborated on shortly lol) so we need a bigger tree to fit them all. Plus where we normally put our tree there is a ton of space to fill. The one year we got a smaller tree it just did not look right lol. For the last few years, this tradition has shifted a bit for me. Living in a different city than my family I am not always able to make it down to San Diego. So how did we alter this tradition you ask? Glorious glorious facetime. It’s almost as if I am at the lot with them - just give me a noble fir scented candle to sniff while on the call and it’s totally the same, right? Haha. There is just something about having a tree and getting to decorate it and snazz it all out while jamming to Michael Buble on vinyl that really solidifies the season ya know? Sort of like kickoff for a football game - but better (sorry not sorry baseball is more my sport anyway).
Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
You know those desserts or even food dishes that you only make once a year whether it be for someone's birthday or a holiday - well this one is my family's. I don't remember the exact year that my dad started baking these cakes - but what I do remember is always looking forward to helping him create them as a child. I mean what little kid doesn't love getting their hands messy with red and green food coloring lol. Year after year our dining room and pool table would be chock full with a multitude of cakes - at the ready to gift out to our friends, family, and my parents' work colleagues. While over the years the number of cakes made has gone down - to just close friends and family - it is still something that my dad enjoys making every year. It is sort of his holiday signature. Well that, and decorating our house lol (the outside, the inside is all my mom). Last year I was lucky enough to be home the weekend he decided to make them so I got to help, but this year it isn’t looking to be that way. However, that won't stop me. I got this recipe down years ago, and while I may not get to bake them with him this year - that doesn't mean that I won’t make them at all :P
Cookie Time
Bouncing off the topic of baking, I also highlyyyyyy enjoy baking cookies and decorating them. Yes, I may be a sucker for the Pillsbury trees and reindeers like the next person (I mean let’s be real, those things are heavenly) but nothing beats getting to fuel my creativity in the form of icing and sugar lol. And just like with the cake, I normally do cookies with my family. It was something that my sisters and I always did together growing up. While we still do when we get the chance (I love getting to now take part in this tradition with my nephew and seeing it from his eyes), I have also dragged in my roommates to help. Last year we had a cookie decorating night and while I don't know If I will participate in this tradition this year (or at least as hard as I normally go) with my move just after the holidays it is still one that I will forever hold dear to my heart - Even if I may have to skip a year.
Macy’s Ornaments
Remember how earlier I mentioned how my family has an insane amount of ornaments lol well here is why. Growing up my grandma lived with us until she passed away in the summer of 2008. Something that she started within our family was the purchase of a new ornament every year. She would take us to Macy’s each holiday season and let us pick one out. I always went for the classic Christmas Santas or the ocean creatures. Even after my grandmother passed away, my mother, sisters, and I still kept this tradition alive; as it was something that was just for the girls (although we still would surprise our dad with one). This is probably one of the more challenging traditions to keep alive this year with the constant change in how open California is with the pandemic. But thank goodness for online shopping right? My mom and I would always wake up early the day after Christmas and go hit the 90% off sale as well. And while these may look a tad bit different than years past - the base of the tradition is still there and that’s what counts. After all, this has always been one of the traditions that I look forward to the most and the one that I hold dearest to my heart. It may be something simple, but to me, it holds the most value as my grandmother was someone who majorly impacted my life <3
Pajamas all day and coffee
Let’s be honest, some of the best days are the ones where you just lounge and are snuggled up under a giant fluffy blanket in your favorite pair of jammies. Christmas takes that and multiplies it by a thousand. My family has always had the tradition where on Christmas morning we get Starbucks. We don’t really know how or why it started, but it is something that we have continued to do with each passing year. We wake up, open our stockings together, and then drive to the nearest Starbucks to indulge in caffeine heaven. Once home we put the Disney parade on TV and begin opening presents. And then after we veg out and watch holiday special after-holiday special. Perfect day, am I right, or am I right? PS. Please bring back the gingerbread latte to US stores, thank you :)
Christmas light sightseeing
In San Diego, there are two neighborhoods that put on must-see light shows. Candy Cane Lane and Christmas Card Lane. Even though the twinkling wonderlands barely change each year they still continue to be magical. Whether it is your first time seeing it, or hundredth like mine - it is always something that I recommend. Christmas Card Lane is my personal favorite as each house typically picks either a Holiday or Disney (and makes it holiday) film and decorates to showcase that story. Hand-carved/painted wooden fixtures that will dazzle the eye surround the neighborhood. Driving through these Lil Twinkle towns is something that I look forward to each December, and sometimes I even do it more than once. Throw on some Christmas tunes and you’ve got yourself a holly jolly Christmas night.
Movie marathons
In the Zalfen household holiday movies are a staple; especially hallmark ones lol. If you want to know where to find us, chances are it’s right in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn and a glass of wine or egg nog in our hands. We can spend hours upon hours having our movie marathons. From predictable cliche holiday romances to classic Christmas claymation (cue the year without a Santa Claus) and everything between and beyond. Odds are if it isn’t one of those - It’s Elf or the Grinch...most likely Elf though (one of my top five all-time movies right there not gonna lie). Yes, I am that person that quotes it lol. Speaking of…. I’m gonna go watch it right now :P Byeeee Buddyyyy!!!
Welp there ya have it :) while not all, those were some of my favorite traditions. Each and everyone I hold near and dear to my heart and look forward to creating new memories with each year. And while this one may be a tad bit different, I know that regardless I will still have a fantastic time - even if they do happen to be celebrated over the phone.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Let me know down below, I would love to hear about them :D
Till next week my friends.
Stay Happy, Stay healthy, stay safe.
Happy Holidays and Season Greetings <3
T
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