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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - You remember the moment. Close your eyes. The doorbell rings. Your mother signs for the mysterious package in the brown paper. Then she winks and smiles. It’s a gingerbread house kit -- something you both put together each year and place on the mantel. You can’t even remember a Christmas without the memory.
Now it’s something you do with your child. And you hope he passes it on to his children.
Holiday rituals are usually something simple, like sharing a special moment with Grandpa or ordering just the right treat for Aunt Jane. Just ask people about their holiday food rituals, and you’ll hear heart-warming stories you’ll want to share with your family. John Baumann, president of The Swiss Colony, says each year they hear stories about rituals that make the holidays special. And for a company that’s been delivering special holiday moments for 80 years, some rituals have surfaced time and time again.
This year as you consider making your holidays special for your family and friends, some of these rituals may be just the ticket for creating warm moments to pass on to the next generation.
1. “My grandmother used to send us a box of truffles every year. Since she's passed on, we continue the tradition in her honor.” In some small way, carrying on the tradition of someone who is no longer with us helps us remember the wonderful times spent with family and friends. As you pass around the plate with grandma’s favorite holiday treat, sometimes the memories are so strong that it brings a smile -- and maybe a happy tear.
2. A special festive food symbolizes the holidays for many. For some, it’s those little hand-decorated “cakelets” called petits fours; for others, a red velvet cake, chocolate Yule log or Aunt Betty’s fruitcake. For many, it’s not Christmas -- or Hanukah -- without a gift of that one special treat. Baumann remembers a note he received from a long-time customer who purchases a Dobosh torte every year for her husband. He waits all year long for his torte – and won’t share it with anyone. His entire family laughs lovingly as he disappears into the den to enjoy his once-a-year holiday treat. But every year, she orders one just for him.
3. What a wonderful surprise to receive several smaller treats on different days. Some people purchase towers of gifts and think about the delightful smiles as the recipients open each little box. But others send multiple gifts on different days -- cheese, sausage, butter toffee, nuts, cookies and more. In these days of instant messaging, most people still love to receive mysterious packages -- especially during the holidays. And isn’t it a wonderful treat to receive something without strings attached?
4. The next best thing to being there: sharing a feast across the miles. Whether a loved one is stationed overseas or can’t make it home for the annual get-together, it’s still possible to carry on family rituals across the miles. Online and catalog shopping have made it easier than ever to send a special breakfast basket for Christmas morning or a snack basket to enjoy while the missing family member reminisces and watches “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year. It’s not the same as being there – but it comes pretty close.
5. Turn shopping into an opportunity to bond. Every year, one mother makes it an annual event to get on the phone with her daughter who lives in another state, so they can look through their catalogs together and plan what to get everyone for presents. It’s an evening they look forward to all year long. And every gift that’s opened is another moment they enjoy -- as they watch the joy on the faces of people who open the gifts they selected together.
6. Spread the joy of happiness to someone less fortunate than you or to someone who may not have family members close by. Whether it’s sending old-fashioned butter toffee or fruitcake to a local senior center or nursing home, or dropping a lovely gift basket filled with many tasty treats, many families have made charitable giving a heart-warming holiday tradition. Holidays give us an annual opportunity for bringing loved ones together.
What better time is there to celebrate a tradition -- or start one? To jumpstart your holiday rituals, call (800) 804-5188 for a copy of The Swiss Colony catalog or visit www.TheSwissColony.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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