Traditions, customs, habits, beliefs, attitudes, whatever you wish to call them, we all have them. The holiday season seems to bring them out in full force. Perhaps they will be a bit different this year as we incorporate social distancing.
Whether it be lighting the Menorah that has been passed down in your family for generations, or heading out to the local tree farm to choose the perfect Christmas tree, they are part of who we are.
Through the years these traditions are perhaps tweaked or even evolve through circumstance. Not everything has to stay exactly as it was through the years. That is especially true this year as families shelter in place and connect digitally, rather than in person to prevent further exposure to the virus.
Growing up, I remember my Mom staying up all night on Christmas Eve to put together the finishing touches for not one, but two hosted meals on Christmas Day. We would start our day hosting brunch for friends and neighbors. Later in the day, family would arrive for a grand Christmas Feast.
After my husband and I married, we travelled for the holidays with both my family and his. The first year we visited France and Italy. There was something magical about arriving in Paris on Christmas Eve and attending Mass at Notre Dame. While thousands of miles from home, we were able to recreate the tradition of going to Church on Christmas Eve. We didn’t understand a word of the service, conducted in Latin, but it’s a story we recount often this time of year.
Ordinarily, the holiday season is a wonderful time to travel and not only make wonderful memories, but perhaps start some new traditions as well. With the vaccine beginning to roll out across the country the time to travel safely will soon return. When the 2021 holiday season begins I believe that we will have new travel memories and ornaments to add to our collection.
In the meantime whether you are able to gather with immediate family in a small group, or your holiday is spent on a zoom call, we hope you and your loved ones have a safe and simple holiday season. We will be here to look out for you when the time is right to take that 2021 or 2022 vacation you’ve been dreaming about since March.
Throughout the Winter season, due to the rise in community spread of Covid-19, we will be meeting clients through phone or zoom appointments only. Please do not hesitate to reach out at any time to schedule your appointment.