QotD: My Favorite Holiday Traditions

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
Submitted by sami711.

I can't remember much of the traditions that my family has done over the years. There were a few moments that I remember when I was young. Ever since I got out of the house, I've spent most of the time by myself, my brother and my cats. I sometimes be visiting my parents at their place and then leave when the night has come. I spent most of my time at work rather than with my family.

The one most probably be my favorite holiday tradition is the family's "New year celebration" at a private hot spring. There are some years that we would forget doing the tradition since it's either we don't have the money or one of my parents couldn't come with us. This tradition only applies to my mother and her relatives. Don't ask me about my relatives from my dad's side (heh) we just do things too differently.

From what I remember, when I was a kid. At the first break of dawn on January 1, my mother or my grand mother would wake me and my brother up to bring down back-packs that we fixed the night or the day before. If me and my brother would not get out of bed from the moment my mother calls out, my dad would come to our room with a cold and wet face towel then he would wipe our faces in order to wake up. It sometimes be very annoying to have woken up in that manner but that's my dad.

The moment we get out of the bed, we would wash up and dress then wait outside the garage for my other cousins with their children who's coming along and packed with all sorts of home made cookings sealed in different Tupperware in their car.

The drive would be a two to three hour trip down south to Cavite or pass further to where we can rent out a place that has a pool in the hot springs area. I'd either sleep while they drive or find something to pass the time. While my dad drive, my brother would listen to his MP3 player or play some stupid game on his cellphone. My mom would chat with her sister along with my dad. I would just look outside the window thinking that I should just be at home. Yes, I'm not much of an out going person. I'm not the all happy kind of person but I never let an occasion such as this slip away without even thinking. My parents - they may not be the Brady bunch but they took care of me and raised me. They have passed their knowledge of how one should treat their family. As they would always say when I was a kid, "always stick with your family because they will always be there for you."

My grandmother died a few years later when I was still in college, I thought the tradition would stop but my mother kept it. The last time that I had this "tradition" was two years ago. Last year, I wasn't able to go since I got sick. Anyway, spending a whole day with a family even if you're really not close with them still has those warm fuzzy feeling. Seeing them smile, laugh and enjoying the time. January 1 is almost here, I should remind my mom about the tradition. Try to at least show them that I'm still part of the family. ^_^

Hope you guys enjoy your holidays.