Honestly, how I celebrate holidays is a total mix—it’s like a recipe that’s been passed down but that I keep tweaking. It’s less about one specific thing and more about a feeling. For me, it almost always boils down to three big ingredients: people, rituals, and a little bit of magic.

First and foremost, it’s about connection. For me, holidays are the universe’s way of forcing us to press pause. It’s the one time I can get my whole family in one room, with phones put away, just talking and laughing. It’s not always perfect—someone burns the potatoes, the kids get over-sugared and hyper, and Uncle Bob will probably tell that same story for the tenth time. But that’s the point. It’s that messy, loud, real togetherness that makes it special. If I can’t be with family, I make a point to connect with my chosen family—my friends. A simple “thinking of you” text can be a tiny holiday in itself.

Then, there are the rituals and traditions. These are the anchors—the things that make a holiday feel like that holiday. Some are inherited, like my grandmother’s stuffing recipe that I absolutely must make every Thanksgiving, even though it’s slightly more work than I ever want to do. It’s my way of feeling connected to her.

But my partner and I have also invented our own silly little traditions. For example, we always watch a specific, terribly cheesy movie on Christmas Eve. It’s not about the movie being good; it’s about us doing it together, year after year. That repetition is comforting. It’s a touchstone in a world that’s always changing.

Finally, I try to create a little magic or mindfulness. This doesn’t mean anything extravagant. It could be:

• The specific smell of spices and pine candles.
• The magic of twinkle lights in a dark room.
• Taking five quiet minutes to myself to just feel grateful.
• Leaving a little surprise gift for a neighbor.

It’s about intentionally creating moments of warmth, awe, or kindness that break the ordinary routine.

At the end of the day, my perfect holiday isn’t about a flawless Instagram table setting. It’s about ending the day feeling full—and I don’t just mean from the food. Full of love, full of memories, and ready to step back into normal life feeling just a little bit recharged.

How about you? What’s the one thing that makes a holiday feel real for you?