How to make your holiday traditions your own

(ARA) – Traditions help keep people connected through the years for generations. A special experience or gift-giving ritual often creates the foundation for celebrating the holidays. But what happens when those traditions no longer work? Circumstances, budgets and tastes change, requiring a fresh look at new ways to celebrate the holiday season.

Shaking up holiday traditions is on the minds of many this year, according to a recent Bing survey. In fact, a major life change – such as marriage or a new baby – is the most popular reason, with a change in financial situation coming in a close second. No matter your reasoning, you can easily evolve your traditions into something that works for your entire family. For example, try switching up the holiday menu by swapping the traditional day-long cooking marathon for a night out. Or incorporate a family volunteer outing into your holiday plans, such as working at the local food bank.

With a little creativity, you can revamp the way you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, and Bing’s lifestyle expert, Karin Muskopf, offers tips for how you can do just that.

* Give in a new way. Giving and receiving gifts has long been a beloved holiday tradition, but what if you took all that energy and money, and spent it on shared experiences with your friends and family instead? According to the survey, most 18 to 34 year olds (91 percent) say they’d rather spend money on enjoying experiences together than traditional gift giving.

“At my house, we’ve completely downsized our gift-giving traditions,” says Muskopf. “Instead of large, expensive gifts, we hold a family meeting and decide as a group what sorts of fun activities we want to do together. Whether it’s a trip, a holiday play or a fun class, we show our appreciation for each other by spending quality time together.”

To follow suit, try planning a day to do something together with friends and family – volunteer, enjoy a winter sport or host a festive dinner party. Taking a trip with loved ones is another special way to celebrate the season – a tradition that 37 percent of respondents would choose if they had their way. Hop on a plane, hit the road, or plan a cozy stay-cation and never leave your couch.

If your family loves the tradition of giving gifts, add a special touch by personalizing what you give. Bing Shopping makes it easy to find all your holiday gifting needs – try personalizing a photo calendar or an engraved picture frame to preserve special memories and give a treasured keepsake. Whatever you do, remember it’s all about making the season merry.

* Create lasting memories. The holidays are always a busy time, and it can be tricky to get everyone together on one specific day.

“To me, it’s less important what day of the year it is, and it’s more about being together with good food and lots of laughs,” says Muskopf.

If you can’t get everyone together at the same time, consider several mini-celebrations throughout the season. Or, host an “Eve Before the Eve” party and celebrate your holiday one day early.

* Make memories with a new tradition. “Our annual holiday party has turned into a highly anticipated event – Pie Night,” Muskopf says. “Each guest bakes his/her own pie to bring to the party for a taste test. Everyone samples a piece of each pie, and we award the ‘Most Delicious,’ ‘Most Festive’ and ‘Most Fattening’ titles in a hilarious ceremony.”

Movie marathons or video game tournaments are also fun for those winter nights when you can’t bear to go outside and face the cold. “There’s something so cozy about staying in and huddling around the living room while the snow falls outside,” Muskopf says. “We started an annual holiday Xbox tournament that lets everyone – from the kids to the grandparents – get involved. Bing on Xbox makes it easy to see all the entertainment options, so our holiday living room nights are never boring.”

For more ideas and inspiration on tweaking old traditions, creating new ones and making this holiday all your own, go to www.Bing.com.

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Create a tablescape to remember

(ARA) – Holiday traditions may vary from home to home, but one of the most cherished sites each year is universal. The holiday tablescape: the place where all the luscious treats of the season await all the special people in your lives.

Close your eyes for a moment and remember walking into the dining room where the table is overflowing with memories of holidays past. Remember the sights and the aromas. The red, green and cream linens handed down through generations are pulled out to form the foundation of the holiday table. The special china, crystal and platters that rarely leave the cabinet – except around the holiday season – are front and center.

And in the center of the table – with all eyes upon it – the main event; the star of the show. Will it be Chateaubriand? Prime rib? Hickory spiral sliced ham?

Now open your eyes – it’s time to plan your own holiday feast. So roll up your sleeves, open your browser, bring out the family treasures and let the magic begin. Start with the star attraction: the flavorful foundation of your holiday spread.

“Our customers ask us all the time for ideas to make their holiday meals special,” says Edward Scavuzzo, president of Kansas City Steak Company. “Year after year, they keep coming back to the tastes that bring back memories of holidays past. Once they’ve selected the meat that will be the star of the meal, the big decision is out of the way and there are lots of options to round out the perfect holiday meal.”

While there are all kinds of lists of best holiday menus, these stars are sure to be at the top of the list for your 2011/2012 centerpiece meats:

* A hickory smoked spiral sliced ham from the Missouri Ozarks, brown sugar-cured and slow-smoked over hickory. From the moment the smells waft from the kitchen until the last bite is gone, it’s always a crowd pleaser.

* A roasted steakhouse rub prime rib roast is perfect for making any occasion a celebration. There’s just something about a perfectly aged, well-marbled, succulent boneless prime rib, topped with delicious blends of spices that may include espresso beans, salt, brown sugar, garlic and chipotle pepper.

* A decadently juicy Chateaubriand is always a special holiday treat. You won’t find a more tender holiday treat to grace your holiday table.

* And last, but certainly not least, a hickory smoked turkey. For some, the traditional Norman Rockwell tablescape will always spur holiday memories that are so vibrant, you can almost taste the turkey.

Once you select the star of your tablescape, the anchor of your meal, it’s time to plan the rest of your meal. It’s never been easier to select side dishes – there is an abundance of holiday gourmet guides, dessert guides, wine lists and online resources to help you choose the perfect complements to your star.

If you’re hoping to simplify your life this year, companies like The Kansas City Steak Company can be a great resource for planning your entire meal. Just add family, friends, a table, your own unique holiday touches and perfectly prepared food. You get all the credit for creating a magical tablescape and a meal your family will be sure to remember for generations to come.

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Tips for creating meaningful new holiday traditions

(ARA) – Holidays are a great time to celebrate traditions with family and friends, and every family has unique activities they love to observe year after year. You can incorporate new traditions into the holidays to bring more memorable fun to your gatherings. Here are some simple tips for creating meaningful new traditions that can bring joy to your holidays every year.

* Organize a visit from Santa. Encourage your family or friends to come over for a potluck breakfast or lunch. As the festivities get into full swing, invite Santa to join in the fun. Organize goodie bags for children to take home from Santa. Don’t forget to have a camera on hand to capture the children’s special moments.

* Build a gingerbread house with your family. Roll up your sleeves, start your oven and put your architecture skills to the test. Decorate the house with each family member’s favorite candies in all colors. Adorn the lawn with Archway Gingerbread Men, which can be easily decorated with icing and candy buttons.

* Draw names and trade inexpensive gifts. You can turn this into a secret Santa exchange, or for a little more fun and hilarity, turn the exchange into a white elephant party, where participants are allowed to “steal” inexpensive gifts from one another. Your party doesn’t have to only involve your local friends and family. Invite your friends from all over the country to participate in a gift exchange via Skype or email – it’s a great way to have something fun pop up in your mailbox over the holiday season.

* Cookies are a part of many holiday traditions. In fact, a recent holiday survey conducted by Archway found that cookies are a part of more than 80 percent of respondents’ traditions each year. Incorporate cookies into new traditions by hosting a cookie exchange with your coworkers, neighbors, family members or friends. Use a mix of homemade and favorite Archway holiday cookies such as Bells and Stars, which are back by popular demand for the 2011 holiday season.

* Give back to your community. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Sing holiday carols in nursing homes and senior centers. Organize a food drive for your local food bank. Have young children go through their toys and pick one or two to donate to a local shelter. This will help children participate in the joy of giving. There are a lot of ways you and your family can help others. You might decide to do the same thing each year or come up with new ways to give back.

* Create a video or online photo album. This tradition is especially poignant for families with loved ones who are away for the season and unable to attend the family celebrations (for example, families with someone in the military). Set up a video camera and have everyone share a message for the absent loved one. Take lots of photos during your holiday celebrations and create a photo album online that can be accessed by those who are not present.

Traditions help provide connection and predictability, which people – especially children – crave. And they’re a lot of fun. Just remember that whatever you decide to do, be sure to add your own flair and creativity to make the tradition truly one to remember.

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Whether it’s buying a new ornament each year or gathering for a large family feast, drawing on old world holiday traditions is a great way to bring people together to celebrate all the season has to offer. A good way to start, and a great family activity, is to research your heritage and the holiday traditions that your ancestors practiced.

A few traditions you may wish to draw on include:

Austria
On December 24, presents are placed under the tree for the children. Kids wait in another room until they hear a bell then enter to see the tree decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. Everyone sings carols while wishing each other happy holidays.

Denmark
Each family has a special plate, used only during the holidays, that becomes a family heirloom. Families take pride in making their own decorations with bright paper and natural objects.

Italy
During holiday week, children go from house to house playing pipes, singing and reciting holiday poems. Their delighted listeners give them small amounts of money so the children can purchase gifts.

Scandinavia
Many people in Scandinavian countries celebrate Lucia Day on December 13. At dawn, the youngest child dons a white robe and a crown of (battery operated) candles. The other children accompany “Lucia” dressed as “star boys” and “hand maidens”. The children wake their parents and serve coffee and special Lucia buns.

USA
Modern holiday decorations can be just about anything. Get back to basics with traditional holly, mistletoe, Poinsettia flowers and evergreen boughs. Hang strings of popcorn, bells and candy canes from the tree. Start a new tradition and purchase a collectible ornament each year to pass down through generations.

The Glitteratzzi Gemstone Elite Collection from Jewelry Television (www.JTV.com) incorporates sparkling gemstones on luxurious, durable glass ornaments handmade in Europe. Each piece is created by artisans and takes seven days to make. Choose one featuring a loved one’s birthstone for a gift that will endure.

This holiday season, take some time to create a new tradition taking cues from the old world. The memories will make you smile all year round.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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