Things Remembered - December 21, 2025

Holiday Rituals You Might Want to Borrow

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Each week, my inbox fills with notes from readers generous enough to share stories about their lives. Reading them has become a ritual for me — and a source of inspiration.

One reader, Anna, wrote to tell me about a tradition her family practices at holiday dinners. Everyone writes their name on a slip of paper and drops it into a box. Later, between the main course and dessert , each guest draws a name and shares what they appreciate about that person.

This year, I decided to try Anna’s ritual with my family. It was, in a word, wonderful. The room instantly changed as laughter mixed with a few misty eyes. What emerged was a deeper awareness of the sometimes unspoken bonds that tie us together.

Rituals have a way of opening the door to connection. In that spirit, I’d like to open the Celebrations Pulse mailbox and share a few more stories readers have sent. My hope is that they’ll inspire you, just as Anna’s did for me — and maybe find their way into your own family gatherings.

The objects that hold our history

As the notes came in, I was struck by how many rituals are tied to ornaments and other objects that are pulled out once a year and carefully returned to closets and attics. They may look like temporary decorations , but they carry the weight of our families’ histories.

Evelyn told me about a set of hand-painted wooden ornaments her mother bought decades ago. She and her children painted them together when they were young. More than 40 years later, they still hang on the tree. Evelyn can name exactly who painted each one. “They’ll be my grandchildren’s inheritance,” she joked — and there’s more truth than humor in that line.

And Cookie wrote about an ornament in the shape of a tiny pair of white roller skates that her great-aunt and uncle gave her parents on her very first Christmas. Those skates have hung on every tree she’s had for 73 years, through childhood, marriage, and raising children of her own.

“Now it’s just my husband and me. And they’ll go on the tree again this year, with faded writing and many fond memories.”

The rituals only your family understands

Some rituals don’t need explanation. Others only make sense if you grew up with them — and that’s part of their charm.

Jennifer described her annual hunt for wrapping paper that’s different for each family member and sourced from as many as six stores. It started when her daughters were in elementary school, and it stuck. It’s her way of saying, “I see you,” before a gift is even opened.

Doris shared a tradition born out of practicality and curiosity. On Thanksgiving, she gives each family member some cash with one rule: Buy something just for yourself, don’t use it, wrap it, and bring it to Christmas.

“They open it in front of all of us, and what they have bought for themselves is always so surprising and so much fun to see. It’s almost always something I would never in the world have thought they would want.”

One story stopped me in my tracks, and I couldn’t resist sharing it with MiChaela on my team. On the morning of the holiday dinner, the writer explained, every guest punches the turkey. It tenderizes the bird, keeps the kids busy, and sets the tone for a get-together filled with laughter.

“Wait,” MiChaela said. “What’s the name on that letter?”

It turned out to be her mom!

Giving as a living tradition

For many people, tradition isn’t just something you get. It’s something you give.

Mary told me about gifting her daughter-in-law a silver crown engraved with “Queen Bee,” a nod to her love of royalty. Her daughter-in-law treasures it. “I call her my bonus daughter,” Mary wrote. “I hope that crown becomes part of her Christmas forever.”

Becky shared that when money is tight, she gives time instead, volunteering in place of financial donations. Showing up, she reminded me, can be just as meaningful as writing a check.

And Jacqueline shared a story about her grandmother’s love of Belle Snookle, the New Year’s Fairy. It was a tradition created during lean years, when Santa couldn’t bring much, but creativity and love filled the gap.

Belle arrived a week later with small surprises, just enough to make the children feel seen. She adds:

“When I had a family, I continued the tradition for my kids and now my grandkids. I have never heard of Belle Snookle from anyone else, and I often wonder if this is a long-lost tradition, or one born out of financial necessity from my grandmother.”

In this week’s Power & Impact, I sit down with Dr. Gary King, one of Harvard University’s most distinguished professors and a leading voice in social science research, for a wide-ranging conversation about learning, leadership, and the power of community.

Joined by my co-host and friend Dr. Bobbi Wegner, we explore why relationships sit at the heart of education and how community fuels innovation. (Dr. Wegner is a psychologist, entrepreneur, and herself a Harvard educator.)

During the conversation, Gary reflects on his work at Harvard, tracing the path from academic insight to its real-world impact. He also shares what human behavior can teach us about change and why data and AI must be guided by judgment and care.

At its core, this is a conversation about curiosity, collaboration, and the responsibility we all share to build environments where people feel connected, challenged — and inspired.

How a tiny apartment inspired a tradition

As we approach our 50th anniversary at 1-800-Flowers.com, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about where we began and, just as important, the relationship we’ve built with our customers along the way. One holiday favorite brings that history into focus.

More than 40 years ago, a customer called our first shop on First Avenue in Manhattan with a request. Her daughter lived just a few blocks away, in a tiny apartment with no room for a traditional Christmas tree. She wondered if we could create something that captured the spirit of the season without taking up much space — something that looked and smelled like Christmas.

One of our designers took up the challenge, shaping boxwood and evergreens into a small holiday flower tree and trimming it by hand. It wasn’t large or elaborate, but it carried the feeling of the season in a way that felt warm, personal, and welcoming.

Decades later, the Holiday Flower Tree is still one of our most popular gifts. Customers have shared photos showing where their trees have found a home. Some have appeared in the most unexpected corners of busy cities, including on a hot dog stand!

The traditions that endure often begin with a small gesture and grow from there. When we take the time to understand how people live, we discover meaningful ways to help them celebrate. It’s a lesson that’s guided us from the very beginning.

Meet December’s Amazing Mom

Each month, I’m reminded that some of the most meaningful leadership lessons come from watching how people show up for their families. This month, I’m pleased to introduce Dana Pollack, founder of Dana’s Bakery, as our Amazing Mom of the Month. Her creativity and generosity of spirit are felt in everything she builds.

Dana turned a passion for baking into a business that now brings joy to countless customers.

Motherhood added a new dimension to that journey. Dana approaches parenting with the same steadiness she brings to her work, meeting challenges as they come and trusting that solutions will follow. It’s a mindset she models for her daughters every day. We're thrilled to bring her delicious treats to you.

An evening celebrating success with purpose

I recently had the chance to attend the launch of the latest issue of Worth magazine, and it was one of those evenings that leaves you energized long after you head home.

This edition features the annual Worthy 100 list — a group of leaders, creators, and influencers who are redefining what success looks like today by the way they use their influence and resources to make a difference.

As I mentioned last week, this issue feels especially meaningful because of its cover, which was created by the renowned artist Romero Britto. His work is joyful, colorful, and unapologetically optimistic. It’s a perfect reflection of the spirit behind this year’s list.

I wanted to share a few photos from the event and also extend an invitation. If you’d like to explore Worth for yourself, you can enjoy a complimentary subscription to the quarterly magazine at the link below.