There are holidays all year around, from Valentine’s Day to New Years Day, but everyone celebrates them differently. Some people decide to skip celebrating a holiday, like Halloween, but others choose to go outside dressed in costumes and trick or treat, depending on an individual’s personal beliefs. But then there are things people, families, cultures, do every year on a specific holiday that could have been passed on through generations or could be something they pass to their children and those are called traditions. Personally, I have a few different traditions for some of the holidays, some personal and some that are common in the communities I identify with.
For example, to celebrate New Years, I do two things. About two or three years ago, I started filling this jar with affirmations and goals I wanted to set for myself for the next year. Right before New Years I open the jar up and see if I was able to accomplish the goals I had previously set.I reward myself for every goal I’ve accomplished, whether it be with buying myself something nice or just taking a day off from responsibilities. Another thing I do is eat a feast similar to what I would on thanksgiving. I eat black eyed peas as well for good luck before the ball drops and the new year begins.
Another holiday I love is Mother’s Day. We celebrate it twice and give my mom double the presents because we celebrate American Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, and Dominican Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of May.
For Christmas, in my household, as well as many other Hispanic households, we open gifts on Christmas Eve and feast and party on Christmas Day. During the Christmas Day feast we build gingerbread houses and play games and participate in family bonding. For Halloween I used to dress up and walk around and get candy and sometimes go to Halloween parties. But as of last year my new tradition is dressing up in matching pajamas with my significant other or family baking cookies and ordering pizza while watching scary movies. While this last one may not seem like an actual tradition for the holiday it is traditional for this holiday to be celebrated in my household. That holiday is Cinco De Mayo, the tradition is the celebration of Mexican independence and the celebration of my culture. I dance with my family and listen to music. We eat traditional Spanish foods and party all night.
Overall traditions come in many shapes and forms. It all just depends on the individual or household. They are what make holidays memorable or give someone something to look forward to that time of year. Whether or not you think you have any traditional activities. How you choose to celebrate any holiday is always unique and up to you.