Taylor - Made

This month I have officially lived in Texas for 15 years – and I am still not used to how the holidays are celebrated. Growing up we usually spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt Judy’s house in Totowa, NJ. I remember the long dining room table decked out in every food imaginable with the turkey as the main centerpiece, ready to be carved by the man of the house. The Christmas tree was put up the next day and decorated by friends and family as we listened to Christmas music and drank eggnog. There was laughter and happiness that permeated the air.

Texans do it differently – I’ve noticed that everywhere I go for the holidays it’s more of a buffet style, which honestly I don’t mind. Food is food, no matter how it is served.

I love family traditions. Growing up in Germany my Christmases were filled with a ton of different traditions that I hope I get to experience with my children now that they’re older. I’m thinking this year will be the start of many years that I will bring some of those traditions back. I want my home to be the center for my family, especially when my children have their own children. I want them to be able to think back on memories of my home like I do my Aunt Judy’s. I want them to feel the love that filled the air reminiscent of a thick cloud like I did. I want them to smell cinnamon or a fresh baked apple pie and their memories of me and my home come flooding back to them.

Everybody has different family traditions that are important to them. What are some of yours?