By Christa Banister

When it comes to holiday traditions and how they’re observed, there’s plenty of debate to go around.

In Italy, the traditional Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve may not even feature seven fish-centric dishes, depending on the family you dine with.

In Germany, a sparkling glass pickle ornament called a “Weihnachtsgurke” may be hidden somewhere on the holiday tree for children to find on Christmas morning. The first one to spot the pickle may be awarded a special gift or the honor of opening the first gift. Oddly enough, however, a USA Today survey discovered that 91% of Germans have never heard of a Weihnachtsgurke, let alone had one grace their tree.

Of course, we’ve got plenty of Christmas tradition conundrums in the United States as well. Should the tree go up before or after Thanksgiving? How soon is too soon to listen to Christmas carols? What about opening gifts? Wait til the morning of, or tear into a few on Christmas Eve? And what dishes make the cut for the annual family dinner?

And that’s just Christmas traditions.

Hanukkah traditions can also vary from family to family for those who celebrate the holiday known as the “Festival of Lights.” While 72% of Jews in the United States light Hanukkah candles (the rite the widest number agreed upon), not everyone agrees on appropriate décor, if gifts will be exchanged, or whether latkes should be served at the traditional feast.

All that to say, the holiday season, with promises of being “merry and bright,” can be a contentious time with varying cultural and religious beliefs and holiday traditions. But rather than focus on what divides or disconnects us, we can take advantage of the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of unique holiday traditions and what makes them special for the families who celebrate them.

How Varied Traditions Help Bring People Closer

While where we call home and how we commemorate the holidays may vary from culture to culture, the spirit behind holiday traditions, what holds meaning, ultimately reminds us we’re not all that different from one another.

Whether you live in Auckland, Amsterdam, or Austin, people’s priorities are often the same. The rituals and traditions we adopt not only underscore the universal importance of togetherness, but the significance — and respect — for events passed down from previous generations. They also bring a sense of comfort, stability, and joy as they gather us to celebrate with loved ones every year.

In her book Ancient Prayer: Channeling Your Faith 365 Days of the Year, author Rachel C. Weingarten writes, “We’re all looking for a reason to celebrate. When you understand this about other people, you find the similarities instead of the differences.”

Other Benefits of Embracing Differences

Supporting others’ unique celebrations also broadens our understanding of the great, big, diverse world we live in. Learning about others’ holiday traditions and their origins pushes us beyond our comfort zones, offers an opportunity for questions and dialogue, and allows us to demystify and appreciate celebrations that may look different than our own.

Maybe it’s sampling a new food, watching or reading more about a particular Christmas tradition, or saying yes to a party invitation with an unfamiliar itinerary. Whatever it is, there’s immense value in learning about new holiday traditions because it helps to open our hearts and minds while bringing us closer together.

While the holidays may be stressful in a number of ways — the gift-giving pressure, the self-imposed demands of creating the “perfect” celebration, getting together with family members who don’t necessarily agree on everything — connecting with others, including the wider community, is good for our mental health and overall well-being, not to mention humankind at large.

If the stress of the holidays or life in general has become more than you can handle, we at The Meadows can help. Reach out today to learn more about taking care of your mental health so you can return to wellness and fully embrace life.