There’s an energy around the holidays this year, with a renewed optimism for family and community gatherings and events. We all love our family traditions around the holidays; but we thought this year would be the perfect time to introduce a few new customs into your celebrations. For inspiration we found some holiday celebrations from around the U.S. that we can embrace here in Ohio. All of them bring a renewed sense of celebration, family and community into the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Race Off the Calories
Baking can be a wonderful family holiday activity; but if you need help burning off those extra calories, run! Columbia, South Carolina, holds an Ugly Sweater 5k during the holidays. So indulge in those goodies, dress up in your best ugly sweater and run off the calories in style!
Santa Stops Here
Arrange a Santa tour! Rutledge, Pennsylvania, celebrates Christmas with a Santa tour of the borough. “Santa Stops Here” signs are displayed, so residents know where to bring young kids for a magical visit with Santa. Most residents light up the town with luminaries, to bring glowing light to the occasion.
Roasting by the Fire
Change up Christmas dinner! Hawaiians enjoy the Christmas feast with a pig roast and a hula dance. Even if you want to keep the traditional turkey and fixings for dinner, you can always get an outdoor fire going for s’mores, Christmas caroling and the Hawaiian hula dancing afterward!
Gingerbread Goodness
Gather friends and family to participate in a gingerbread house contest! In Reno, Nevada, the May Arboretum Society hosts an annual Gingerbread House Competition and Festival that encourages families to enter their gingerbread houses, made entirely of edible ingredients.
Spirited Milk
Incorporate a Swedish Christmas Eve tradition into your festivities. In Wilmington, Delaware, children leave milk for the Tomte spirits on Christmas Eve. According to tradition, a visit from the Tomte spirits results in gifts for good children!
Christmas Tree Charitable Giving
Take inspiration from Boise, Idaho, where they combine celebration and charitable giving. Residents and local organizations can sponsor, donate and decorate a Christmas tree, which is displayed throughout the holidays at a local center. All funds raised benefit community health care.
