In my family, holiday traditions are like plants in the garden - some grow strong and stay with us for ages, while others need a little pruning or even replacing as conditions change.
Over the years, as our family has grown, shrunk, and grown again in different ways, our winter traditions have become a blend of Christmas cheer, Yule-inspired rituals, and a whole lot of celebrating nature's quiet beauty.
If you've ever found yourself longing for holiday traditions that feel meaningful, adaptable, and uniquely yours, let me share how my family has created winter celebrations that reflect our love of nature, the changing seasons, and the cycles of life.
Whether your family is large, small, or somewhere in between, I hope these stories might help you craft traditions that evolve with you as you continue your own journey of growth, but that also keep the magic of the season alive.
Winter is a time of rest and renewal in the natural world. Trees drop their leaves, gardens go dormant, and the remaining animals hunker down in their dens and nests.
It's a beautiful reminder that everything needs a little quiet time.
For several winters now, leading up to the holidays, I've found myself at home on my days off from the greenhouse, working quietly by myself in my workshop (garage).
One of my new favourite ways to usher in the winter celebrations is to create wreaths and planter displays using fresh evergreens.
It's simple, messy, and always brings me into the present moment.
It allows me to soak up the incredible scents of pine, fir, and my favourite - Carolina sapphire cypress. Gifts that nature has given us, that I'm lucky to be crafting into arrangements for friends, family, and clients.
The scents are healing - they ground me in my body and at the same time connect me to creative sources outside of my body.
In the quiet, I'm able to find peace and joy.
Traditions don't have to stay the same forever. In fact, some of the best traditions are the ones that grow and adapt with your family.
Mixing old favourites with new ideas allows you to honour the past, while staying open to the present.
When I was young, my parents and I would put up the tree and decorate it together. And when I moved out and began my own family, I brought a lot of the old ornaments with me.
Seeing them each Christmas brought back so many wonderful memories.
But life changes, and my family got a little smaller when I got divorced. The old ornaments from my childhood came with me, but a new chapter called for a fresh start.
I bought some shiny new ornaments, and my son and I decorated that first tree of our "own." And it was magic.
The following year would be the first we spent with my current partner.
It was the year the pop tab ornament was born.
Now, I'm not entirely sure how it happened - those details are a little fuzzy after all these years. But somehow a pop tab made it onto an ornament hook.
Every year since, the pop tab has been lovingly packed away with the rest of the ornaments. And every year since, my son and my partner lobby for who gets to hang it.
With the change in our family dynamic, I embraced this new tradition. It was the first (of many) weird bonding moments for my son and partner, and while it certainly doesn't fit my very thoughtfully curated tree design it warms my heart every winter knowing this ridiculous pop tab is a symbol of love, and family.
At its core, the winter holidays are about connection - with family, friends, and the natural world.
Simple traditions that bring people together can create lasting memories and deepen your sense of belonging.
Christmas morning as a child, for me, meant my Gan Gan & Papa travelling to our home for Christmas breakfast - bacon & eggs, toast, and 1/2 a grapefruit. Can't forget the grapefruit.
Well, with my grandparents now long gone, the tradition has evolved into my parents having breakfast with me and my two fellas.
However...my son visits his father's house every other Christmas, so it was time for another evolution.
One year we decided to celebrate Christmas early with my son, before he headed to his father's house the next day. Quite unintentionally, our chosen date was December 21 - The Winter Solstice / Yule.
It was quite possibly the most magical Christmas we've ever spent together.
Now, with a great deal of intention, our family celebrates Christmas traditions on the longest night of the year, and it feels every bit as special as when I was a child.
My mum even does her panic shopping on the 20th, when I'm sure everyone in the store is completely baffled by her "it's the last minute" energy.
I know that celebrating the Winter Solstice will be a tradition that carries on into the future, because its a tradition that brings our family together in a way that feels both grounding and magical. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about gathering around a fireplace with cherished loved ones, on the darkest day of the year, knowing that from this day forward light will only grow and build.
Holiday traditions don't have to stay the same - they can evolve and grow with your family, just like a garden.
By blending seasonal themes, nature-inspired activities, and moments of connection, you can create a winter celebration that feels meaningful and uniquely yours.
So, here's my challenge for you... take one small step this year to craft a tradition that reflects your values and passions.
Whether it's crafting a Yule wreath, taking a snowy night hike, or simply pausing to light a candle and reflect of the season, let your celebrations be a source of joy and connection.
And if you feel like reaching out and connecting with me a little bit more, I'd love to invite you to join my email newsletter community.
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