Passing the Torch: How 61 Years of Christmas Traditions Taught Me When to Let Go
After six decades of creating Christmas magic, I'm learning the most important tradition of all: passing it forward.
The Stockings That Hold More Than Gifts
This stocking, hand-knit by my grandmother and mother, carries decades of love
My grandmother and mother hand-knit stockings for each family member. Each with our name and Santa with his sleigh. Some of them are older than I am.
The stitching isn't perfect. Some names are a little crooked. But those imperfections are part of their beauty—proof that human hands made them, that someone took time to create something just for you.
My mother's been gone for over 20 years, but every Christmas morning at Stephen and Laurel's, when we hang those stockings, her hands are with us. Her love, knit into yarn, still warming us decades later.
Christmas Morning: Three Generations of Handmade Love
On Christmas morning at Stephen and Laurel's house, those stockings hang. We open them first. Little things—candy, small gifts, silly items. Then breakfast.
It's a simple ritual. But in that simplicity lives something profound: continuity across generations.
Why Handmade Traditions Matter
In our world of Amazon Prime and instant gratification, handmade traditions remind us that some things can't be rushed. They can't be outsourced. They require:
Time – Hours of knitting, planning, creating
Intention – Each stitch placed with purpose
Love – Made FOR someone, not just made
Legacy – Built to last beyond one lifetime
The Tradition I Never Expected to Pass On
After Christmas morning at Stephen and Laurel's, I usually pack up and head to Florida for New Year's Eve.
But this year is different. This year, I'm passing the tradition to my niece Caroline.
For many years, I've celebrated New Year's Eve the same way—creating moments, making people feel special, giving more than receiving. This year will be the first in many years that I won't be there myself.
My New Year's Eve Traditions (Now Becoming Caroline's)
🕶 Light-Up Glasses
I order them for New Year's Eve. You know the ones—they flash and sparkle when midnight comes. Everyone gets a pair.
This year, I'm sending Caroline off with the glasses. She'll hand them out. She'll create that moment. She'll carry it forward.
🍾 Dom Pérignon
Because New Year's Eve deserves something special. I love to celebrate, and I do it right.
🎨 Cricut Designs
Sometimes I've made things with my Cricut machine—writing out "Happy New Year" and other festive messages for the tables. Little touches that make the celebration feel special.
🏆 Custom Logo Yeti Cups
I make a custom logo for each new year—designing it myself. Then I have it printed on Yeti cups that I give to everyone celebrating.
Each year gets its own design. Each year gets its own memory. Each year, people take home a cup that says: we were here together when the year turned.
It's my version of the Christmas place card ornaments, but for New Year's Eve. A small, handmade touch that says: this moment mattered, you were part of it, I made something to help you remember.
Why Passing Traditions Forward Matters
This is what traditions do. They don't belong to just one person. They belong to the family. And when it's time, they get passed to the next generation.
Caroline will take the light-up glasses this year. She'll create the magic. She'll make people feel special. She'll give more than she receives.
And that's exactly what she's supposed to do.
That's what elves do.
That's what family does.
That's what showing up—and knowing when to pass it on—looks like.
What 61 Consecutive Christmas Eves Taught Me
Evolution Is Part of Preservation
Our Christmas looks different than it did 30 years ago.
Some things were added (place cards, Christmas crackers). Some things ended naturally (Santa visits when kids grew up). Some things evolved (cassette tapes became faxes became FaceTime).
Some things get passed to the next generation—like this year, when I send Caroline off with the New Year's Eve light-up glasses.
But the core never changed: gather, honor each person individually, share joy collectively, witness each other, remember.
The best traditions aren't rigid—they're resilient. They flex without breaking. They welcome the next generation to add their own touches while honoring what came before.
And sometimes, the best way to honor a tradition is to pass it forward.
The Bittersweet Beauty of Letting Go
I won't lie—there's something bittersweet about not being there this New Year's Eve. For many years, I was the one creating those moments. I was the one making sure everyone had their glasses. I was the one bringing the champagne, designing the cups, setting the scene.
But here's what 61 years of Christmas tradition-keeping taught me:
The greatest tradition isn't the thing you DO—it's teaching the next generation HOW to do it.
How to Pass Your Own Traditions Forward
Whether it's Christmas stockings, New Year's celebrations, or your own family rituals, here's what I've learned about passing traditions to the next generation:
1. Start Early
Caroline didn't just receive the light-up glasses this year. She's been watching me do this for years. She knows why it matters. She understands the spirit behind it.
2. Explain the "Why"
It's not just about handing out glasses. It's about:
Creating moments people remember
Making each person feel special
Giving more than you receive
Showing up with intention
3. Trust Them to Add Their Own Touch
Caroline might do things differently than I did. And that's perfect. That's how traditions stay alive—by evolving with each generation while keeping the core intact.
4. Be Available for Questions
I told Caroline: text me if you need anything. I'm here. But I also trust her to carry this forward in her own way.
5. Celebrate the Passage
This isn't a loss. This is beautiful. This is what all those years were building toward.
Your Turn: What Traditions Are You Passing Forward?
At Sterling Events, we believe that the best celebrations are the ones that create lasting memories and meaningful connections across generations.
Whether you're planning:
Corporate holiday events that become annual traditions
Family celebrations that honor the past while embracing the future
New Year's Eve parties that sparkle with meaning
We understand that traditions matter. We help you create moments worth passing forward.
The Questions I'm Asking Myself (And You)
As this New Year's Eve approaches—the first in many years I won't be there with the light-up glasses—I'm sitting with these questions:
💭 What traditions am I holding onto that are ready to be passed forward?
💭 Who in the next generation is watching, learning, ready to carry something forward?
💭 What would it look like to trust them with what I've built?
💭 How can I honor what came before me while making space for what comes next?
What about you?
From My Family to Yours
[IMAGE 14: Family gathered together during holidays, warm and authentic moment] Alt text: "Multi-generational family celebrating Christmas together with authentic joy and connection" Caption: "After 61 years, this is what I know: traditions are love made visible across time"
This year, as Caroline hands out those light-up glasses at midnight, I'll be thinking about:
My grandmother's hands, knitting stockings decades ago
My mother's hands, gone for over 20 years but still with us every Christmas morning
My own hands, creating moments year after year
Caroline's hands, now carrying it forward
That's what traditions do.
They connect us across time. They remind us we're part of something bigger than ourselves. They teach us that showing up matters—and so does knowing when to pass it on.
Share Your Story
Have you passed a tradition to the next generation? What was that like?
Drop a comment below or tag us on social media with #PassingItForward
We'd love to hear your stories. 💬
Plan Your Own Meaningful Celebration
Ready to create traditions worth passing forward?
Contact Sterling Events to plan your next celebration—whether it's an intimate family gathering or a large corporate event that becomes an annual tradition.
Because the best events aren't just parties. They're memories in the making.
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