I am the family historian, and sometimes this time of the year, filled with the holidays our family celebrates, makes me feel very nostalgic! My home is filled with antiques from my grandmother’s era, my mother’s artwork, and my dad’s memorabilia from World War II. In addition, I have elegant serving pieces and glassware from my mother-in-law. Everywhere there are memories of those lost. I miss the fun and wide-eyed excitement of little children living in my house. I miss the people and the happy times of the past.
When I was a child, my world was much smaller, and now, as an adult, I realize that we are a global community. Of course, many other cultures, religions, and celebrated holidays exist. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we all feel nostalgia around the holidays.
No matter what holiday you celebrate, there’s a good chance you will experience some nostalgia around this time of year. After all, it’s hard not to think about all the happy memories associated with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other winter celebrations when the air is chilly and festive lights are everywhere. For some people, navigating holiday nostalgia can be tricky. You may feel like you’re supposed to celebrate in a certain way or neglect your heritage if you don’t do things exactly as your parents or grandparents did. How do we keep the spirit of the holidays alive without feeling overwhelmed by nostalgia?
One way to keep the holiday spirit alive is by finding new traditions. If you’re nostalgic for your childhood holidays, why not start a new tradition with your children or grandchildren? You can also look for ways to modernize old traditions. For example, if you used to bake cookies with your grandmother, but she’s no longer with us, try baking them with a friend or family member who has fond memories of her.
So many people feel nostalgic this time of year, missing the past while looking toward the future. For me, as a family historian, this is a bittersweet feeling. I love all the holidays and traditions we celebrate, but I also miss my close family members, who are no longer with us!
Below are the holidays my family celebrates this time of the year. What holidays do you celebrate?
When I was younger, I always looked forward to the holidays. We weren’t particularly religious, so the holidays were festive. Halloween was a spooky fun time, where we would decorate with scary stuff and Trick or Treat. Thanksgiving was a time for everyone to get together and celebrate our family. Our tradition was a family gathering with lots of food and conversation. Plentiful and delicious food was particularly true when I married into an Italian family. Christmas was a joyous time for getting together with family, sharing gifts, and preparing for Santa’s visit! Easter was another family gathering with lots of food and fun, and we had many an Easter Egg hunt. Food seems to be a constant running thread here.
But as I got older, I started to dread the holidays. It wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy spending time with my family but because the holidays always made me feel nostalgic. I miss my family members who are no longer with us and the laughter and excitement of children now growing up. But, of course, I know I am not alone in this feeling; you may feel the same.
It’s also important to remember that holiday nostalgia doesn’t have to be about looking back on happy times from the past. If you’re feeling nostalgic for a holiday you didn’t necessarily enjoy in your youth, consider how you can make it more enjoyable now. For example, if large holiday gatherings make you feel anxious, try celebrating with a smaller group of people or doing something completely different, like going on a holiday-themed scavenger hunt.
Another helpful to overcome holiday nostalgia and help others is by sharing your thoughts and experiences around holiday nostalgia. This can help create a shared understanding and open discussion about how people feel. It can also show that you care about others and want to make them feel comfortable and accepted during a time that might be difficult for them. Whatever your culture, remember that it’s essential to respect other people’s traditions and feelings around the holidays.
Whatever holiday you’re celebrating this year, I hope discussing holiday nostalgia helps you navigate the holidays in a way that feels good for you.
So this year, remember the good times you’ve shared with your loved ones and be grateful for all the beautiful memories you are creating now. The holiday blues won’t stand a chance against that! Thanks for reading, and I hope this has helped boost your spirits. Writing about the holiday blues and sharing it with you has helped me. Happy holidays!
Do you have any tips for dealing with holiday nostalgia? Share them in the comments below!
Note: all of the photos in this blog post are from iStock.com.