Welcome to the December Holiday Writing Prompt

Reminiscing about the changing of traditions as we grow older. What do we keep what do we let go off?

Image source Kateryna_Mostova on freepik

As the year comes to a close, time seems to have sped up once more. I’ve had this sensation of time racing for the entire year. But November passed like a flash.

So here we are, it’s December. I’ve opened the first two doors of my Advent calendar and baked the first batch of Christmas cookies with my friends, the fabulous four. The smell of Vanillekipferl and Spitzbuben fresh out of the oven made me think about Christmas past and Christmas traditions.

Every country has its own set of traditions. In Austria, we decorate the Christmas tree on December 24th and celebrate Christmas Eve. The Christkind (the Christ child), not Santa, is in charge of bringing the gifts.

I remember how we would be ushered out of the apartment in the afternoon. Taken on outings in the crisp winter air to give my parents time to decorate the tree and arrange the presents. Snow on the ground. The feeling of anticipation.

Then it was time; a tinny bell was rung to call us into the living room, where the Christmas tree sparkled. Hazardously lit with real candles, the smell of tree sap and burning sparklers in the air. How we never burnt down the house is a mystery to me.

I remember the delight I felt at the sight of the tree and the taste of the Christmas cookies. I remember singing Christmas songs— in later years, accompanied by one of us children playing “Holy night” or “Come all ye children” squeakingly on a recorder or a harmonica.

For the life of me, I can’t remember a single present. We got toys, books, and clothes, but those memories have faded. What remains is the feeling of joy and happy anticipation. The warmth and the secureness amid my family.

What traditions do you remember? How have they changed over the years? Have you kept the same traditions your parents passed down to you? Did you create new ones?

This month, I’d love to hear how celebrating traditional holidays has changed for you over the years. Not only Christmas. Maybe you celebrated Hannuka, Diwali, Eid El Fitr, or another holiday important to you as a child.

Let me know how you celebrated then and how you celebrate now. Now that you are going through change, are you changing how you celebrate?

Maybe, like me, you are revigorating old traditions? My partner and I never had a Christmas tree, but I realized I missed that part of Christmas a few years ago. So, for the last three years, we’ve bought a tree and decorated it together on the 24th of December, just as my parents used to do.

We don’t have live candles and sparklers. We’re not that brave. But having the decorated tree in my living room from Christmas Eve on the 24th of December to Epiphany on the 6th of January still gives me joy, much like when I was a kid.

And one thing I have learned as I grow older is that we should do what brings us joy. Very often, those are the things that aren’t strictly necessary. Like having a Christmas tree just for yourself. Or, baking Christmas cookies with your friends, even if you could go out and buy some at the store.

Yesterday’s Christmas Cookie bake — picture from the author’s private collection

What gives us joy isn’t necessarily the things themselves. The tree or the cookies (even though they are fantastic). It’s the memories we create, decorating and baking together. Chatting and laughing.

It’s the new traditions we build. An annual Christmas cookie-baking date that has become a new fixture in our lives and now includes a new member — my friend's 6-month-old daughter, who will grow up with the memory of her mother's friends baking, chatting and laughing. Making delicious cookies as the smell of Vanillekipferl and Spitzbuben fresh out of the oven wafts through the house.

---

TLDR: This month, I’d love to hear your stories about your holiday traditions and how they changed. Let us share your memories, good and bad — your insights, feelings and learnings.

My Menopause Brain is looking for writers both here on Substack and on Medium. Details on how to apply here.

If you’ve enjoyed this piece and want to support us, buy us a cup of coffee or subscribe and helps us to create more Menopause Awareness by sharing this story. Thank you!