Evolving Traditions

by Suzanne Winslow

Our Christmas traditions are slowly evolving, and I’m part sad, part excited at the changes. I suppose this is a common experience for many empty-nesters. At the very least, we have to learn to share our adult children during the holidays. My husband and I are lucky the families of our kids’ significant others love them too. 

So, what do we do? Most of our four kids live out-of-state. Not only do they have in-laws, but also demanding jobs and limited vacation time. My husband’s birthday is December 5 and last year we all celebrated a milestone birthday in Cancun. Christmas celebrations took a back seat. This year, our oldest son is having a destination wedding in December.

Everyone is coming, including our closest friends that we haven’t seen during the holidays in years. We’ll exchange gifts on the side, eat Christmas cookies, and visit Savannah, taking in all of their holiday lights and decorations.

Which begs the question, must Christmas be celebrated only on December 25? My answer is no. This is one of the many reasons I love Christmastime. Christmas is a season, not a single day. My trees go up early, Christmas music plays in November, and every day in December is Christmas to me. I don’t bake as many cookies as I used to, my holiday shopping is mostly done online, and Breakfast with Santa has been replaced by Secret Santa with my book club, but it’s still an exciting time of year, just a little more adult-y.

I can still be sad on Christmas Day when it’s just me and my husband, but we do celebrate with brunch, gifts, music, movies, and a surf and turf dinner we wouldn’t serve a crowd. Instead of an advent calendar for our kids, we make one for ourselves-little date nights, mostly at home, every evening in December. We sit by outside fires under Christmas lights, blow up an air mattress and sleep by the tree, and mix up holiday cocktails and play games. It’s fun, and new, and something we look forward to every year now.

Next year, fingers crossed, we’ll have Christmas Day with all of our family. That hasn’t happened since 2018. But if holiday plans go awry, as they seem to every year now, my husband and I will keep adding to our new traditions. 

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Suzanne Winslow writes the kind of stories she loves to read—contemporary romance with relatable characters, unsung heroes and heroines, and true-to-life stories. Nurses, teachers, firefighters, and Marines top her list of champions. Give her a book about strong, brave characters with hidden vulnerabilities and a secret passion, and she’ll read all night!

Suzanne and her husband call Upstate New York home. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s often planning a road trip, or if it’s summertime, hanging out at the lake. Connecting with readers through TikTok, Facebook, and newsletters is a favorite pastime.

For more information about Suzanne and her books, visit www.suzannewinslow.com

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