The holiday season is a time for joy, gathering, and celebration. Many different traditions are celebrated across the globe that bring people together and showcases the spirit of the season. Some traditions run centuries old while others are newly established customs, but new or old they hold a special place in the hearts of people that celebrate them. Traditions play a big role during the holiday season and vary culturally but are universally recognized as a meaningful part of celebrations.

Holiday traditions are significant for many reasons, but their main purpose is to celebrate shared culture, bring people together, and create beautiful lasting memories for the years to come. Traditions are generally passed down from one generation to the next and evolve over time; They become deep-rooted within a family or community. This strong tie creates a space where people have the opportunity to relax, connect with people they love, and take a step back from a busy lifestyle. It allows people to feel a connection with their past while still celebrating the present.

While holiday traditions can widely vary from person to person and culture to culture there are a few universal themes across the board. The main theme is family and togetherness. Regardless of the traditions, the holidays are known for bringing people together. Whether the group is large or small, all that matters is that you're surrounded by loved ones. Other themes include reflection, joy, celebration, and generosity. The holidays are meant to spend time to bring out the best in people.

At The Connection^®, we value the importance of family time and creating memories with loved ones. We want our employees to be able to gather with their families and create space for celebration during the holidays. Ten years ago we created our own holiday tradition within the company. It first started by handing out frozen turkeys in the office to now providing grocery certificates by mail to employees. Like many traditions, ours has evolved over the years, and this year we had the opportunity to expand the certificates to also include fruits and veggies on top of the turkey and/or ham. The Connection^® is so grateful to employees for allowing us to be a small part of their holiday celebration through these certificates. As we embrace our own holiday tradition, we also want to recognize the beauty in the diversity of practices and are wishing everyone a happy holiday season no matter how you celebrate!