By Madeline Klein on December 16, 2019 in Say's Spotlight
With the holidays just a few days away, we thought it would be fun to share a few of our very own employees' favorite holiday traditions!
Family Festivities
As a kid, the two-day period of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was filled with family. Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family was always a treat; and while there was great anticipation about what we would receive as gifts, it was more fun knowing that cousins would be around to play with the new games and toys. In general, it was the family focus that I will always remember.
- Marc D.
My favorite Christmas tradition is when my family and I all stay the night at one house on Christmas Eve. We stay up late spending time together and get to open just one present. Then we wake up Christmas morning and cook breakfast together. After breakfast, my sister and I get to "call the tree." It is such a heartfelt time spent with my family.
- Cherish W.
Every year since we were young my older sister would insist on wearing matching pajamas for Christmas morning. Now that we are both married adults, she ensures that our husbands get matching sets as well!
- Caitlin P.
Christmas Eve
I inherited a fun Christmas Eve tradition from my stepfamily when my mother married my stepfather. The night before Christmas we raced through the house to see who could shout “Christmas Eve Gift!” first. If you said it to someone before they said it to you, they owed you a small gift that you opened that night. We waited to open the rest of the gifts until Christmas morning, so this was a BIG deal. This tradition brought so many memories to our family. On Christmas Eve people, hid throughout the house waiting to jump out and scare each other. It made Christmas Eve extra special in our house!
- Tess H.
Christmas Nap
My girlfriend and I travel to her parents’ house every Christmas Eve. That night, we stay up late talking, playing games, and eating food, even though we are all well aware that we will be summoned the next morning at 5 a.m. sharp. We are awoken by her mother’s excited cries, “Merry Christmas! Get up!” We drag ourselves out of bed only because we know we will be met with fresh coffee and bombarded with presents. After unwrapping presents, we all pitch in to fix a big breakfast, which is then followed by my favorite part, a Christmas Nap!
- Alex N.
Looking at the Lights
In Austin, we have the Trail of Lights – a Christmas community event with over 60 displays, 2 million lights, food trucks, and nightly entertainment. I remember going to this when I was small and feeling like the trail was miles long! I almost always had to be carried by the end. Now that I am older, I walk through in less than 30 minutes and it’s funny to me that I ever felt like it was such a long distance.
- Madeline K.
Some Good Ol' Games
My favorite is Reindeer Bingo where the prize is essentially a "grab bag" of mysterious items collected throughout the year. Some prizes are unusual (Angry Mama microwave cleaner, potato peeling mitts, Chia Pets, electric fly swatter) some are practical and handy (pocket hand warmers, breath mints, miniature screwdriver set, Turbo scrubber, Snuggies), and some are just funny. Unwanted items are re-gifted or exchanged for other presents, and it usually takes all weekend to get through the stash! We also hide a glass Christmas pickle ornament in the tree for the most astute child to find.
- Jennifer C.
Decorating the Tree
Christmas forms a new meaning when you get to experience it through the eyes of your children. The days leading up to Christmas when I was young were spent decking the halls and baking cookies for Santa, but the most important job was placing the star on top of the tree. My siblings and I would compete for the task each year. Finally, with a little help from her daddy, my daughter was tall enough to place the star this year. Watching her face light up in that moment truly renewed the magic of the holiday season and made all of the hustle and bustle this time of year worth the extra effort!
- Erin T.
Elf on the Shelf
My youngest daughter is enthralled with our Elf on the Shelf, Buddy. She misses him all year and starting in October, she mentions him almost daily. She can't wait for him to return and wonders where he will hide next or what he may get into tomorrow. Her favorite time was when Buddy left a Naughty and Nice List with Mom and Dad on the naughty side. She's always sad to say goodbye to him.
- Sara S.
Bulgarian Christmas Bread
In Bulgaria, it’s tradition to bake homemade bread on Christmas with little "fortunes" in each piece that predict what the New Year will bring. My mom continued that tradition even after we moved to America. So, when it's time to eat, everyone at the table takes a piece and digs out their fortune! Last year, I got a button in my piece which meant I'd find a good job in the new year. It was right because I am now at Say! Plus, the bread tastes amazing…Win-win!
- Gabi G.
We told you ours; now it's your turn! Let us know on Facebook or Twitter your favorite holiday memories and traditions!