As we hurtle toward the holiday season I am filled with memories of holidays past. I think fondly of all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that define the traditions of my family. It is easy to get caught up in the anticipation of these coveted moments - especially after so many of our holiday plans were cancelled last year.
The holiday nostalgia of the before-times is intoxicating. And just thinking about the possibility to gather with loved ones (safely of course) is a reason in itself to celebrate. And while I don’t want to put a damper on your wistful daydreams of turkey for twenty-five, crispy latkes and dancing sugarplum fairies - let’s just remember for a moment the reality of these “normal” holidays.
Just gonna leave a few words here and see if any of them resonate with you: pressure, stress, performance, exhaustion and rather large bills (you get the picture).
Now I am in no way suggesting that going through a holiday season in the middle of a raging pandemic was easier then your standard holiday season. It was awful. But it gave us a window into a different way of celebrating, which allows this year to be one of opportunity. One where we can lean deeply into our nostalgia and bring back those wonderful traditions of food and connection. But to also decide what we do not want to continue and if we want to do some things differently.
I hear your protests, but what about the twenty-seven different Thanksgiving sides you love, the donuts you fry up at Hanukkah for thirty of your closest friends, the nineteen different kinds of cookies you bake each year to hand out to neighbors and all those champagne toasts you ring in the new year with? This is not about stopping the traditions that you are nostalgic for but potentially tweaking them so that the time spent together can be just that.
We never before had the opportunity to re-evaluate the holidays in this way. And, though, change can be difficult - just think of all the new memories we get to make this year to feed our nostalgia for years to come.
So what food do you remember with great fondness from holidays past? And what traditions are you excited about returning to this year? Are there any traditions you are ready to let go of or new ones you would like to create?
Our next Virtual Gathering’s Theme is: Holiday Nostalgia
If joining in the evening does not work out for your schedule, consider joining a Community Holiday Nostalgia Lunch Pod to take a short break from your work day to connect with others. Details below!
When: Thursday, December 9th, 8:00PM ET / 5:00PM PT
Friday, December 10th, 1:00PM ET / 10:00AM PT
How: Sign up here. Zoom details will be sent on day of the event.
What: Please join our call with a favorite food or beverage that connects to the theme (and if you don't have time to cook just come with a story!)
Cost: $20 to secure your spot (Venmo @communityincontext)