Traditions. The cornerstone of family memories. The kind of core memories you hold on to forever. Traditions can be evoked by something as simple as a smell that reminds you of making pies the night before a holiday, or a game played every year at Christmas. We asked some of our local residents about their family holiday traditions to help inspire new traditions for your own family!
The Callahan Family
For more than 13 years, Maria Callahan, owner of BCMF, has made it her mission to serve the community with heart, faith, and purpose. What began as a small business has grown into a movement of generosity that brings families together throughout the year. Maria and her team host annual events that uplift and unite the Pasco community—each one rooted in her belief that business should be about more than profit; it should be about people.
Callahan holiday traditions start in the fall with a focus on community when the BCMF October Family Halloween Event kicks off food donations for Thanksgiving. This November marked the 10th year of Operation Feed Pasco, providing thousands of meals to local families through Volunteer Way. In December, her family will lace up for Miles for Morrison 5K, honoring Maria’s late friend while funding scholarships for local student-athletes.
Maria’s love for family shines brightest at Christmas. Every year, the Callahans gather to recreate her mother-in-law’s famous stuffing from scratch and spend the day laughing as A Christmas Story plays on repeat. For Maria, giving back and honoring tradition are what make life truly beautiful—family, faith, and community at its best.
The Rodriguez Family
For Rose and Carlos Rodriguez, December is the month when life slows down just enough to savor the things that matter most. Their home is always lively—two little boys, ages five and seven, racing through the house, laughter echoing down the hallway. Between running S&R Family Lawn Care and Sunflower Socials, the Rodríguezes spend much of the year helping others—supporting small businesses, organizing local markets, and lending a hand wherever it’s needed.
When the holidays arrive, their focus shifts completely to family. Carlos, who grew up in El Salvador, shares the joy of Noche Buena, a Christmas Eve celebration filled with food, music, and dancing. The table is never short on panes con pollo, a Salvadoran favorite that has become a family staple.
To blend Rose’s American traditions, the night ends with milk and cookies for Santa, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and “snow tracks” made from flour and glitter leading to the tree. The boys wake to a bit of magic each Christmas morning.
For Rose and Carlos, these rituals are about more than celebration—they’re about creating the kind of warm, joyful memories they hoped their children would grow up with.
The Gonzalez Family
Luis Gonzalez, owner of American Pro Carpet Cleaning & Restoration in Trinity, Florida, and his wife Sydney, who runs GreatFlorida Insurance in Spring Hill, know the value of family time. Together with their daughter Emily, who just started third grade, they fill their days with energy, laughter, and shared adventures.
Throughout the year, the family enjoys going to the beach, traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with loved ones. But come December, one tradition stands out above the rest. For more than 20 years, Sydney and her family have spent Christmas and New Year’s on Marco Island Beach, a tradition that has now become central to the Gonzalez family’s holiday season.
During their week on Marco Island, the family relaxes, enjoys long walks along the shore, shares meals, and disconnects from the busy pace of work. These trips provide a chance to focus on family, create lasting memories, and instill a sense of tradition for Emily.
For the Gonzalez family, these days on the beach are about more than vacation—they are about togetherness, slowing down, and celebrating what truly matters: family, joy, and the simple moments that make life special.
The Long Family
For Rachel Long, life is a blend of creativity, family, and giving back. She owns Make It Yours Embroidery and Monogramming, where her eye for detail and passion for design come to life. Her husband, JP, is a mechanical engineer with PALL Corporation, and together they’re raising three amazing kids—Lily, a freshman at Clemson studying pre-vet; Sophie, a junior at K-Tech pursuing commercial arts and design; and Ian, an eighth-grader at SSMS who plays in the band and loves being a Boy Scout.
When not traveling or on the tennis courts or stables, the Longs are deeply involved in their community. Rachel serves on the board of Love Generously, leading the Pack-a-Sack program for Moon Lake Elementary, which provides weekend meals, birthday boxes, and holiday dinners for local children. The family also volunteers with Messengers of Hope, distributing food to hundreds of families every month.
Each December, the Longs celebrate Chanukah by opening their home to friends and neighbors. They share the warmth of the season through traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, crafts, and a collection of glowing menorahs. For Rachel, these nights of light and laughter reflect what truly matters—faith, family, and community.