Hello friends, welcome back and this week we will be dedicating our time to talk about some of our holiday traditions. It usually seems like the last three months of the year always seem to go by so fast, even this year. Maybe it’s a mixture of weather, Daylight saving, a Presidential election, or a global pandemic. Nevertheless, the holidays are a time to come together, to celebrate, and give thanks to the people closest in our lives. When speaking about such people it can span our biological family, to chosen family, to friends, and expand to our lover(s). This year holiday traditions will be dramatically altered due to a global pandemic and restrictions/ practices in place.
One of the more recently added holiday traditions is going to the pumpkin patch in October. It’s a kickoff activity for the Fall season and also essential for Halloween celebration if you like carving pumpkins. Growing up, my parents always took my sister and I to the local grocery store to select our pumpkins from a barrel. Though this wasn’t a moment documented in our photo albums, it was the carving of Disney-themed pumpkins that made it in. As I got older (more specifically in college), I noticed through social media that some people that went to pumpkin patches to get their seasonal gourd. This thought blew my mind.
When I did get old enough to put aside funds for holiday activities as such, it was to instill more of a tradition than I had growing up. This simple tradition started about five years ago with friends and eventually shared with loved ones. Even in the midst of a pandemic, I’ve found a way to keep this tradition alive. In years prior, After picking out our pumpkins we’ve done a pumpkin carving session, while watching Hocus Pocus. This year I decided to forgo those plans and grab a warty pumpkin, which is also referred to as a “knucklehead” pumpkin. It seemed more appropriate for the wacky year.
As the ghoulish nights come to a close, with peacoats taken out for the first time of the season, it’s time to make the switch to Thanksgiving decor. It starts with unpacking a metal Thanksgiving pumpkin making kit that easily stucks into our uncarved pumpkins to create a turkey facade. This also means taking out the various decorations I’ve accumulated over the years. Another major tradition of mine includes a Friendsgiving. This traditional dinner party will be tailored much differently than in years past.
The housemates and I have decided to limit the amount of guests in the house this year to twelve people total. In line with other social gathering guidelines, we strive to be conscious of how to apply safe practices. We have kindly asked for everyone coming to also get a Covid test (nasal swab) and share results before coming to the event. Though the nasal swabs are not 100% accurate, the test will give some insight into a person’s health status. In these stirring times some people have chosen to create a “pod,” which is a small group of people who agree to socialize together.
This year’s Friendsgiving will be small and intimate, with various smaller gatherings among my pods. Living with healthcare professionals can bring in their own risk as well. I try to be transparent with all friends and family before seeing them in an enclosed space. I know many friends will not be comfortable with the idea of physically gathering so I’ve also made a zoom event to still allow people to congregate and converse on one of the busiest times of years. Many of you may judge me for hosting an in-person Friendsgiving, but this is also a pinnacle event as it will be the last in the house. I will be moving from my lovely home to an apartment with others later this month.
Once my belly is full and heart content it’s time to transition into the final holiday of the year… Christmas. My traditions for this holiday are a mixture of various cultures and is basically a time to get together, enjoy the weather and look at the year in a review. One of the fondest memories from my childhood was going to the Christmas tree forest and cutting down our own tree. It was a tradition that we’d celebrate throughout my adolescents and slowly disappear as I began a young adult. It was quite sad to see traditions change with time, but sometimes they do or go away completely. Change does not mean that there’s no more trees for the holidays. As of two years now, to be more eco-conscious, I brought a potted white fir tree for an alternative to the fresh-cut or faux trees.
Lastly, a tradition that has been years in the making is sending out those pesky holiday cards. These are for my family, chosen family, and dear friends. It’s the only physical reminder to the many people I will not be able to see during the last month of the year. These cards allow people to know I am alive, while showing them a glimpse into my life over a year. While this tradition, like some of the others mentioned, was started with a partner, I’ve decided to continue these traditions because they have become a staple for the holiday season.
In any case, we each have shown you some of our own traditions we’ve cultivated over the years. And to those who don’t celebrate the holidays, we hope you find some joy from hearing some of our traditions during this time of the year.
And as always, stay safe, stay healthy, and as always, like, share, and subscribe to our blog for new insights into happiness, heartbreak, and everything else that comes with our exploration of polyamory.
-Your Friendly & Forever Bundled Poly Guy 2
