This time of year is truly one of my favorites. The joys and memories created during this season is something one will remember forever. I teamed up with destinyusa.com and their Unwrap Your Memories Campaign this holiday season to talk about what traditions matter most to me.
1. My boyfriend and I have somewhat of a travel bug and decided to start collecting ornaments from each place we go. This can mean buying an ornament while there, or finding one that represents that destination when we return. It is a great way to display our memories we have made together.
2. Each year we “adopt a child” for Christmas through New York Cares – Winter Wishes program, I look forward to this each holiday season as a way to give back. My favorite part of Christmas morning is taking a moment to think about that boy or girl we were able to provide for.
3. The pickle ornament legend, aka a ridiculous race between my brother and I that involves burying ourselves in the tree Christmas morning in attempt to dig out the hidden pickle and win a prize.
Thanks to about.com, the legend goes: “A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.”
4. Baking holiday cookies (and spending hours scouring Pinterest for the cutest ones to try), all while listening to Christmas music.
5. Sending and collecting holiday cards.
6. Walking around NYC and taking in all the holiday cheer. There are so many things to experience in this amazing city around this time of year!