Traditions serve as a connection to the past—moments passed from generation to generation.
While the years fly by in somewhat of a blur, seasonal traditions can help stitch our memories back together. Family customs serve as a connection to the past—moments passed from generation to generation. You won’t remember the tacky gift your great aunt gave you, or the disastrous dessert recipe you attempted for a school recital, but you will remember twinkling lights, cozy fires, and quiet moments spent with loved ones.
We asked the brokers and staff of Nest Realty to share their favorite holiday traditions:
“Burning down the house! On New Year’s Day, we make a cardboard house, fill it with slips of paper that list the past year’s regrets, and the hopes for the future year. Then we take it outside and light it on fire when the sun goes down. It’s fun to watch it light up as all of your woes from the past year fade away!”
DEBORAH RUTTER, Associate Broker
“We head out of town with my wife’s family every year for New Year’s Eve. There are so many dear friends we’ve gotten to know over several decades that we rarely see away from the vacation. It’s a great way to start every year.”
KEITH DAVIS, Partner/Associate Broker
“After 20+ years of spending Christmas in Charlottesville with my husband and two children, a few years ago we started a new tradition of traveling to Oregon to spend Christmas with my entire family of 26! It was a little overwhelming the first Christmas Eve, but now nothing could stop us from being there.”
BOB HEADRICK, Associate Broker
“Love the solstices. Summer solstice is enjoyed outside with family and friends, giving thanks for the longest day. Winter solstice with family and friends, usually with a recreation of St. George and the Dragon.”
DAVID FERRALL, Associate Broker
“Friendsgiving! On the weekend prior to Thanksgiving we have a potluck Thanksgiving meal with a couple of our friends prior to getting together with our family for the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s always filled with really good food, lots of laughter and thankfulness for our friendships together.”
DAWN CROMER, Agent
“Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, we always had snow and freezing temperatures during the Christmas to New Years week. The town’s volunteer fire department would flood a field for skating, many families would ride their snowmobiles through the woods, always a large bonfire and the holiday party would take place!”
JANICE KAVANAGH, Associate Broker
“We have several Holiday traditions we cherish. Two weeks prior to Christmas, each night we would read a Christmas book to our children before bed, when preparing the Christmas tree, an inventory of ornaments would be taken and stories of the majority would be told (we can never dispose of any ornaments=15 boxes!), and lastly, attending Christmas Eve church service in celebration of the season.”
VOE AND BOBBY MONTGOMERY, Associate Brokers
“Halloween was amazing when I was a kid! We didn’t realize how lucky we were at the time, but in the 50’s and 60’s, EVERY house gave out the LARGE “nickel” candy bars—the ones that come 24 to a box today! Our eyes would just POP when we got home and surveyed our prized collection. I want the kids of my friends and neighbors to have the same experience, so I try to hand them out even today, at least to the middle and older aged kids coming around!”
ARLEEN YOBS, Associate Broker
“The Ginger Bread house competition in C’ville. This was a fun winter activity for the kids. The payoff was seeing all the professional Ginger Bread Homes created by local artists and chefs.”
ROBERT RUSSO, Associate Broker
“Riding around to look at tacky decorated and well decorated homes wherever we are for Christmas time…the tacky is clearly more fun!”
ERIN HALL, Agent
“Watching the wonder in the twinkle of small children’s eyes just after they wake up on Christmas morning. ‘Did Santa drink his glass of milk?! Did he like Mommy’s cookies?! Look at all the presents!!’ There is indeed some magic in beholding the awe on a child’s face as she ponders, ‘Just how did Santa pull this off?!’ Myth becomes a beautiful reality for yet another year…”
BILL MARTIN, Associate Broker
“Potato pancakes at Hanukkah—hands down our family’s favorite holiday tradition. We like traditional latkes—soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, served hot and salty, with sour cream and applesauce on the side. When else do you have license to eat nothing but fried potatoes for dinner?”
AMY WEBB, Associate Broker
“The Montpelier Races on the first Saturday in November is a wonderful event at President James Madison’s magnificent Orange County estate, managed by the National Historic Trust.”
JOHN INCE, Associate Broker
“A big Thanksgiving meal around our big harvest farm table. Lots of friends, family, extended family, all the family pets. Great walks. Great talks by the fireside and of course lots and lots of games. We are a big game family. Always have been—ever since I can remember—playing Canasta with my Abuelita and Abuelito . Playing Skipbo—my mom was known as The Skipbo Queen teaching all the generations how to play.”
CYNTHIA VIEJO, Associate Broker
“Attending the UVA vs. VT annual football game on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving…OR…Everyone getting to open one gift on Christmas Eve that is the same gift. New pajamas!”
GREG SLATER, Associate Broker
“I have always loved breaking out my winter wardrobe. Hats, scarves, coats, sweaters. It always transports me to walking between classes, football tailgates, and family holiday gatherings. I can almost smell the cool fall air just thinking about it!”
SARA BELKOWITZ, Director of Operations and Brand Strategy
“I love Thanksgiving! Watching football, relaxing, eating and general hanging around together is what our family tradtion entailed. Growing up I always looked forward to being in my mom’s kitchen while she prepared the feast. My favorite thing to nibble on was and still is her stuffing. Nothing fancy—just yummy!”
ANGELA HAWKINS, Associate Broker
“Decorating the tree with family, reminiscing about how we acquired each special ornament.”
JOEY CONOVER, Agent
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? We’d love for you to share your favorite traditions in the comments!