Until Thanksgiving break, I never realized how important my family’s holiday traditions were to me.

In high school, I spent my holiday breaks trying to get out of spending quality time with my family because I was way too cool for that. This year I had looked forward to having the time at home, but because I wanted to spend my week of sleeping, catching up on all the homework that I had put off the rest of the semester and doing my laundry for free. I did get most of that done, but I got to experience the whole Thanksgiving ritual firsthand, too.

I admit, it was all my own fault. I opened my big mouth and volunteered, but when I was informed that we were going to eat Thanksgiving dinner at some restaurant, I was traumatized. It wasn’t like I wouldn’t get to enjoy the traditional fixings like turkey and pumpkin pie — it was just a change of venue. Knowing that if worst came to worst we would be having ramen noodles on the big day, I promised that I would cook if we could stay home.

It worked, and suddenly I found myself as head chef. The thought of getting up at the crack of dawn to put a turkey in the oven wasn’t all that appealing, but it did help me to appreciate the whole ordeal more. My family did manage to survive the whole event, and as far as I know no one reported any signs of food poisoning, either.

It was all just a matter of tradition, but until then I never realized how much a part of this whole season these traditions were.

Sometimes the first things that come to mind at this time of the year are icy roads and snow or final projects that still have to be done and the tests that just have to be aced.

It is also time to fight for a parking spot at the mall and search for those last-minute gifts. It is all too easy to get caught up in all of this and forget about the things that really make this season so special.

At my house, it all starts the day after Thanksgiving. We are always among the first people to hit the stores and get a head start on all of the shopping. After that, it is time to start setting up the Christmas tree. As a child, this meant putting all the color-coded pieces together until it looked like a tree, and taking turns putting on the “unbreakable” ornaments. Watching the classic holiday cartoons with awe and preparing my list for Santa were always big events, too. I’ll even admit that seeing the wooden deer that have been known to grace the yard this time of year remind me that Christmas will be here soon.

Now my family has graduated to having a real tree and none of the ornaments are off limits. I still manage to cram a couple of those holiday classics into my schedule. Santa still gets a list from me, too, because I have been told that he will always come to my house, as long as I believe.

My forest green Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition (complete with a tan leather interior, heated seats and a CD player) tops the list, because you just never know what might turn up in your stocking. I am holding out for a new set of keys!

As much as some things may change, others remain the same throughout the years. The smell of Kringla still fills our house during December and the nativity scene still sits on our fireplace mantle. These are some of the things that set this season apart for me.

During the hustle and bustle of this season, it is tradition that helps to bring back memories of childhood days and celebrate years past. These holiday traditions are as widely varied as the families that hold them dear and play a key role in the celebration of the season.

Decorating batches of homemade sugar cookies and attending midnight mass are what make this season special to some. Whatever it may be that makes this time of year special for you, celebrate that tradition.

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Laura Luiken is a sophomore in English from Webster City.