It’s time to turn on the oven, line the counters with ingredients, grab mixing bowls and aprons, roll up our sleeves and get to work. When the weather turns chilly and snowy, it means the winter holiday season is on its way, and in my family, that cues late night baking sessions. It is a pastime that has been handed down to me by my mother, just as her mother passed it to her.

From one generation to the next, each family has at least one recipe that the entire crew craves and hopefully someone has learned to make it in order to keep the tradition alive. As for my family, we have tweaked the spritz cookie over the years. They are in the scenery of so many cherished memories, and the act of making them is momentous each year. They are tied to each member of my family. Holiday traditions are so important as they are a loving link to the past, present and future.

Each generation learns so much from their elders and how important it is to know how these traditions started is a part of their roots. They may never have met the people who started them, but as they follow these traditions they are honoring all who have made them important. The memory of my family coming together, the sweet smell of baking cookies. The laughter we share as we decorate the cookies, even the mess we make. Sprinkles are all over the table and the floor. This is overlooked because we are together as the twelve dozen cookies that baked and shared, represent the love that is shared in our family. We always share gifts as we watch Christmas movies in our tradition.

Family traditions, no matter what they entail, are very important. It is very easy in today’s world to lose track of traditions and always tell ourselves ‘there will be next year.’  However, as the years pass, the tradition is forgotten. We all need to feel connected and family ties are the real glue that hold us together. Not our virtual friends. So enjoy your holiday and enjoy being together with your family.

Holiday time. Everyone loves everything about holidays, from remembering the events that inspired them, to hoping for a white Christmas, and even to wrapping presents. But we mostly love having family gathered, and sharing traditions.