"It's the most wonderful time of the year There’ll be much mistletoeing, And hearts will be glowing, When loved ones are near…”
Andy Williams croons softly through my Spotify playlist.
December already?! How did that happen?
Here in Chennai, we’ve been bracing ourselves for Cyclone Fengal, keeping a careful eye on the weather and stocking up on provisions. But, despite the storm, we decided it was time to bring down our Christmas tree and decorations. So, with twinkling lights and festive cheer, we entered December—our home a tapestry of memories, stories, and the songs we love.
For me, festivals, and Christmas in particular, are all about stories. Of course, there are plenty of heartwarming Christmas books to read, with mugs of hot cocoa in hand. (Look out for my recommendations!) But even more cherished are the stories that emerge from our lives, stories that connect us to the past, to our families, and to each other.
Although grown, my children love hearing about favorite Christmas memories and encouraging their grandparents to share stories from their own childhoods. These conversations bring so much warmth, especially when we consider how much Christmas, like all festivals, has been commercialized. Amidst all the gift-giving and festive food, the heart of the season lies in the time spent with loved ones.
Yes, there’s the food—always a highlight!—the presents, and the rituals that make each family’s celebration unique.
But beyond these, there’s something else: the chance to share stories. Whose recipe do we follow for the Christmas sweets? What’s the secret ingredient that makes a dish just that much more special?
I often tell my children about my own Christmas traditions. Growing up, we’d go caroling on street corners, bringing Christmas cheer to the neighbourhood. On Christmas Eve, we'd attend midnight mass, where after singing in the church choir, we'd run home to dive into cake and hot chocolate while opening presents. The excitement didn’t stop there; we’d rush out to join friends for more caroling until the early hours, coming home bleary-eyed, just in time to pitch in for Christmas lunch preparations. And that was only the beginning of the day!
There were sweets to be distributed, family and friends to be entertained, and the thrill of getting ready for the Christmas dance.
A particularly meaningful part of our celebrations is our Christmas tree. For our wedding, an Aunt gave us a pair of delicate glass-blown bride and groom ornaments.
These were the first ornaments we hung on our tree, which had been gifted to us by my sister.
That first Christmas was spent in Kuala Lumpur, as my husband was away for a month-long course. A dear friend, Nathan, took me to the post-Christmas sales, and that’s when I began building my collection of meaningful ornaments.
Our family on the tree....including Claws Matlabi Saldanha
When our son was born, I bought a special ornament to mark his first Christmas. From then on, I started collecting ornaments that carried meaning—ones that held memories. As our collection grew, I parted ways with the commercial, mass-produced ones, and our tree began to take on a life of its own.
Now, our tree is far from perfect. It’s not the picture-perfect display you might find in a mall or hotel lobby, but it’s uniquely ours—a living, breathing journal of our family’s life. It takes hours to set up, as each ornament brings with it a memory to share. Some ornaments were made by friends, others picked up during our travels, while others come from our time in Sri Lanka or my husband’s childhood. With every ornament, there’s a story—stories of friendships, of family history, of travels, and of love.
This is one of the things I cherish most about Christmas: the opportunity to share stories and traditions. Whether it's from our own families or the homes of friends, every tradition has a story to tell.
This is why I particularly enjoy visiting the homes of friends and neighbors during Golu because each doll in the display holds a story—a tradition, a memory, a piece of heritage. It’s a beautiful reminder that by opening ourselves to the customs and culture of others, we learn, grow, and enrich our own lives.
These are the stories that root us, that shape who we are. They are the gifts that we pass on to our children, weaving a fabric of tradition, culture, and love that will carry on long after we’re gone.
So, what traditions do you follow in your family that help pass on your heritage and culture?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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