While most kids discover and accept the “Santa Secret” by the age of eight or nine, Caitlin Galllagher didn’t reach this pivotal moment that happens in every child’s life until age thirteen [1].

Sure, she heard her friends talk about it- tell stories at lunch time of how they found out it was actually their parents behind the whole charade, but she kept on believing.

“I pitied them. I felt like they were outside of this warm and colorful circle that I was in no rush to leave. I also still genuinely believed in Santa — something that lasted for a solid four years after everyone else stopped.” [1]

Why did it take so long for Caitlin to realize the truth? Because of her mom. Her mom never stopped trying to make the holidays magical for Caitlin and her siblings, and that included keeping the legend of Santa Claus alive.

Christmas was never quite the same after she discovered that Santa was really her parents, but after getting over the initial shock, Caitlin realized one thing – the magic didn’t have to go away. She realized that the magic she cherished as a child had more to do with the traditions and memories her family had created than Santa himself [1].

The Power of Traditions

Humans are a very social species, and traditions help bring us together [2]. Throughout history, families, and friends have lived together in communities and adopted group rituals and customs that help strengthen their bonds with each other [2].

During the holidays, the strength and the importance of these traditions become even more apparent. Traditions give us a sense of belonging, prediction, and order. Traditions are the framework that creates our memories [3].

Traditions are also an important part of our culture. They help form the structure and foundations of our families and society and shape our identity – both as an individual and as a group [4].

Traditions reinforce our values as a group or society and provide a showcase to celebrate the things that truly matter in life [4].

Without tradition, it becomes very difficult to fulfill our basic human need for affiliation and communion. Lack of tradition makes us feel more alone, alienated and demoralized [2].

Traditions Around the World

The holiday season is steeped in traditions – every family or group seems to have their own unique way of celebrating. Although Christmas is one of the most widely-celebrated holidays across the globe, there are many other countries and groups of people that have a different traditional celebration. 

Here are just a few of the different customs from around the world:

1. Finland: Christmas is a time of remembrance for people in this northern European country. On Christmas eve, families light a candle and place it next to the graves of their loved ones. In this way, the holiday is a family-centered day of remembrance and peace [5].
2. Diwali Festival of Lights: This traditional celebration started in India, but is also important for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and is celebrated in many other parts of Asia. It is a harvest festival that signifies new beginnings and triumph of good over evil [6].
3. Eid-Al-Fitr: This is a three-day festival that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. They celebrate by praying, going to a sermon, spending time with family and friends, and sometimes visiting the graves of loved ones [7].
4. Festa Junina: This is a Brazilian festival that occurs in June at the beginning of Brazillian winter. It is the second-most popular festival in Brazil after Carnival, and families celebrate by dressing in harvest-themed clothes, building bonfires in front of their homes and enjoying traditional Brazilian food and dance [8].
5. Maslenitsa: This is a Slavic holiday that celebrates the end of a harsh winter, right before Lent in March. It is one week long, and during this time Russian people eat a special pancake called a blini. There are snowball fights, family gatherings, and community events, and at the end of the week, there is the ceremonial burning of a straw effigy called “Lady Maslenitsa”, that represents winter [5].
6. St. Nicholas Eve: Dutch children celebrate Sinterklaas’ birthday on December fifth, when they are told that Sinterklaas comes to Holland all the way from Spain to deliver toys. This is different than Christmas day, which is a more reverent day focused on family [5].
7. Tu B’shevat: This is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month of shevat, which is usually January or February, depending on the Hebrew calendar. It is a celebration of the end of the rainy season and emphasizes caring for our environment. On this holiday, people plant trees, eat fruit and celebrate mother nature [9].
8. QingMing Festival: This is when Chinese families honor their ancestors and celebrate the beginning of Spring. It happens at the beginning of April, when families visit, clean, and repair the tombs of their ancestors, and leave wreaths or food offerings on the tombs. It is also a celebration of rebirth and spring, and people typically spend time outdoors [10].

Cherish Your Traditions

As we mentioned above, traditions and customs are the links that brings families and communities together. They can bring a sense of calm and peace into our often hectic and stressful lives. They can remind us of a simpler time and connect us with old memories. For Caitlin’s mom, it was about holding onto the carefree magic of Christmas’ past.

“Christmas is our family’s favorite holiday, and no matter how old, mature, and responsible you get, I want you to know that you never have to grow up or stop dreaming. Christmas is magical, and as a mom, I always want to make sure you feel that. My mom did it for me, and I know you’ll do it for your own kids someday . . . no matter how old they get.” [1].

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