Christmas Traditions
A Food Story You’ll Love
Christmas is a time of cherished traditions for many of us, but what if some of those traditions no longer serve you? Maybe they feel outdated, disconnected from your current values, or tied to stress and guilt. Or maybe they’re filled with expectations and obligations that don’t make you feel like celebrating. If any of this has you nodding yes, I want you to know traditions aren’t fixed! You can create new ones that honor the spirit of the season and celebrate the memories with your family while bringing joy and intention to your table.
So this year, let’s talk about how you can take the best of your food and family memories, leave behind the stress of what no longer feels right, and start new traditions that align with the person you are today (and hope to be tomorrow).
Why New Traditions Are Worth It
Food traditions often connect us to loved ones, culture, and fond memories. But as we grow, so do our needs, values, and goals. It’s normal for us to change and when life doesn’t change with us, it can make the fun stuff, frustrating. Maybe big, indulgent meals feel overwhelming to you now or perhaps your family’s focus on calorie counting and “earning” dessert has created a sense of guilt around food you don’t want this year.
By starting new traditions, you’re giving yourself and your loved ones the freedom to honor your history while rewriting every negative relationship with food into a positive one for the future.
How To Create Something New
Building new traditions doesn’t mean throwing out everything you’ve known or pushing the things you do like to the side. It’s about embracing small, intentional changes that feel meaningful and joyful, without losing what matters to you most. Here are a few ideas to get you started
Put the Focus on Connection: Instead of centering your holiday around food quantity, focus on the experience of sharing it. Try having everyone at the table share a memory tied to a favorite dish or recipe and use the moment to connect over stories, not just servings.
Modernize Family Recipes: Honor your family’s legacy by keeping beloved recipes alive, but tweak them to fit your current needs. Consider turning a calorie-heavy casserole into a lighter version you love or experiment with plant-based alternatives to fit your lifestyle.
Celebrate Variety: Instead of one massive meal, try a potluck-style approach where everyone contributes something they love. Introduce a “new dish tradition”, where each person brings a recipe they’ve never made before. This can be a fun way to try new flavors while still sharing the table.
Make Movement Part of the Tradition: Balance indulgence with activity, but make it fun and inclusive. You could start a holiday walk after dinner, or have a lighthearted family dance-off to holiday music before dessert. Maybe you even break up into groups where some people go outside to play football and other’s grab their kids to play the floor is lava.
Build a Tradition Around Gratitude: Use food as an opportunity to reflect on abundance and connection. Before the meal, invite everyone to write down something they’re grateful for this year, then read them aloud while enjoying your favorite holiday dish.
Let Go of the “Shoulds”
When creating new traditions, remember that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate. Your new rituals don’t have to be extravagant or perfect, they just need to feel good to you.
Maybe this year, you skip the big meal altogether and opt for a simple evening of hot cocoa and movies. Or maybe you try something adventurous, like creating a holiday tradition around a food from a culture you love but aren’t familiar with. Let the day reflect what brings you joy, not what you feel obligated to do and don’t feel guilty for choosing that.
A New Chapter for Your Holiday Story
The beauty of traditions is that they’re alive, they grow and evolve just as you and your family do. Starting something new doesn’t erase the past; it adds to it. This Christmas, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect:
• What traditions bring you joy and connection?
• What feels stressful or outdated?
• What’s one small, meaningful change you can make this year?
Your table is a place for love, joy, and nourishment, in whatever form feels right for you!
This Year Isn’t Over Yet
Let your food traditions be a reflection of who you are today and who you want to be tomorrow, next month, and next year. Whether you’re honoring the past, reinventing the present, or dreaming of the future, your traditions are yours to create.
Merry Christmas, and here’s to celebrating with love, intention, and delicious new beginnings. If you want to share your thoughts or get more support, send Kiley an email at info.khhllc@gmail.com
