Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

Embracing the chaos, quirks, and questionable choices that make us who we are

Forget Instagram-perfect families sipping hot cocoa in matching pajamas by the fireplace. Let’s talk about the beautifully chaotic families—the ones with traditions so weird you need a flowchart to explain them to outsiders.

For me, family traditions are the heart of our story. They’re the laugh-until-you-cry moments, the chaotic energy, and even the cringe-worthy events we wouldn’t trade for the world.

The Ugly Sweater Gauntlet

Every Christmas Eve, our family enters what can only be described as the “Ugly Sweater Olympics.” This isn’t just about finding a tacky sweater—it’s about creating a masterpiece of monstrosity. My aunt once attached blinking lights and fake snow to hers, while my cousin glued an entire miniature nativity scene across his chest. The winner? Whoever makes the most people groan in sheer secondhand embarrassment.

Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. But the debates over “most hideous” and the photographic evidence that resurfaces every year are priceless.

Mystery Meat Madness

New Year’s Day brings a culinary gamble we’ve lovingly dubbed “Mystery Meat.” My grandmother, a woman of unmatched creativity in the kitchen, serves a dish we can’t identify without speculation. Once, it was goat. Another time, it was “something with a beak,” according to my uncle.

We pretend to be horrified, but honestly? It’s one of the few times everyone willingly gathers around the same table. And in a way, the mystery is half the fun.

The Game That Makes No Sense

“The Game” is a Frankenstein creation from my uncle’s brain that involves a board, a spinner, dice, and rules that seem to change every year. Nobody knows how to win—or if winning is even the point. We just yell, argue over dice rolls, and laugh until our sides hurt.

Every year, someone threatens to flip the board (and usually does). But at the end of the night, we’re all smiling, somehow closer for surviving the chaos.

Why the Weirdness Matters

Sure, these traditions are unconventional. But they’re also a reminder that family isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. The things that make us weird are often the things that make us unforgettable.

When I think of family, I think of love wrapped in the most bizarre, hilarious packaging. I think of the inside jokes, the stories we’ll never stop retelling, and the memories that will outlive us all.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Lean into your family’s quirks. Embrace the messiness. Celebrate the traditions that make you laugh, cringe, or roll your eyes. Because one day, those traditions will be the moments you cherish most.

What’s your family’s weirdest tradition? Share it in the comments below—I’m ready to feel better about “Mystery Meat.”