I think it’s safe to say, that for any of us who celebrate the holidays in any way, we all have traditions. Whether it’s the way we decorate, or the food we serve, or the people we gather with, there’s comfort in the sameness of these traditions year after year.

I was very lucky that as a child and young adult, even when I was living in Europe, I was always able to be home for Christmas. There is something about the nostalgia of the season, that makes us hold our family a little dearer and reach out to friends near and far. To this day, there is still something magical about Christmas for me.

One of my favorite traditions, from the time I was a little girl, was to “adopt” a family in need. We would take all the groceries needed for a Christmas dinner, and bring gifts for each member of the family. I remember shopping for other kids, picking out exactly what I thought they would want, as being just as fun as opening my own gifts on Christmas morning. Over the years, I have continued to give to those in need whenever possible, and there is nothing that opens your heart more, than knowing a child will have a gift on Christmas morning.

As for my own family, it was a day where the rules didn’t apply. We always started the morning with a glass of champagne, toasting to our health and happiness. And we were very blessed to be able to sit down to a bountiful Christmas dinner together. They are memories I will treasure always.

Whatever your holiday traditions, carry them out with joy and gratitude!