Your Non-Traditional Holiday Traditions

Last year, Care2 staffers shared some of our unusual holiday traditions, including making candles and playing “elf on the shelf” (check out the post to read more on that one). We got so many interesting comments that we decided to share some reader-submitted non-traditional traditions. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Each year we have a new thousand piece Jigsaw puzzle among the gifts. Christmas afternoon we clear the kitchen table and start working on the puzzle. It usually takes several days to complete unless we have help from a kitty hiding pieces. This year I found a 1500 piece puzzle which was a real “bear” to put together–but it kept us entertained during the days of a blizzard /snow packed streets. Afterwards we give the puzzle to a youth home, shelter, or the VA hospital –Eugenea W.

Celebrating the Solstice, we used to go to a clearing in the woods, decorate the trees with edibles for the animals, light a small fire, sit around it and sing songs with a little drumming. Living in the city now, I go to the local parks to decorate the trees for the birds, light a candle, and dance. –Gerlinde P.

During this time I write and mail letters to various world leaders on behalf of individuals who are unjustly suffering as a result of trumped-up political charges or lawlessness. Amnesty International is an excellent resource — they organize a write-a-thon every year. — Cynthia S.

One family tradition at Christmas (shared with a few close friends) is the “Great Annual Yule Book Exchange.” We send books from our own shelves to each other and a card with some interesting or funny fact about the author, or a non-spoiler book review, a personalized bookmark or a good book light. It has become a tradition that everyone really looks forward to, and some books make the round of the entire group before being donated to a library or thrift shop book shelf, or passed along to people outside the book circle. Keeping a list of what is sent to whom and what you’ve received from others is a must. — Jeanne M.

We make homemade treats for the dogs and cats at our local animal shelter and deliver them Christmas Eve so they have something special for xmas morning. Some years we get the staff a gift too. — Laura C.

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Read more: Christmas, Do Good, Family, Holidays, Life, traditions

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

g d c.

3:26PM PDT on Sep 25, 2012

September 25
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KS G.

5:57AM PDT on Apr 25, 2012

Thanks for the article.

April 25
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Past Member .

4:24AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

thanks

December 6
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KARLOLINA G.

1:03PM PST on Dec 5, 2011

Show your support for OWS. Do not purchase Christmas gifts this year. Make them instead. This will hurt the 1%.

December 5
send a green star

Jennifer M.

9:25AM PST on Dec 27, 2010

Awesome! I am a non-believer and was questioned this year as to why I was celebrating the birth of christ. Funny though, nothing about their celebration had anything to do with god, except a 45 second prayer before dinner. The rest was all about... GIFTS, presents, consumerism!! It's quite the Americanized holiday. I don't think Santa and Christ are related, haha. To me, this holiday is about spending time with my family. We only purchased a few gifts this year, but next year my husband and I will be starting our own tradition to pass on to our kids (when we finally have one!) We are going to make homemade gifts. This way, I can be sure it's all cruelty free and organic, and it's all made with love (: