Blending Holiday Traditions with Love and Respect

By Diane Landsberg

As the holiday season approaches—often filled with both joy and challenges—it brings with it traditions deeply rooted in our past. For blended families, merging these traditions can take thoughtful planning and heartfelt communication. I can speak from experience, as I have lived it.

I was raised celebrating Christmas, with all the familiar customs. We went to church on Christmas Eve, visited Santa Claus at the mall, and decorated a beautiful tree with lights and heirloom ornaments (which I still have). Christmas morning meant waking up early to find gifts under the tree, ready to be excitedly unwrapped.

My husband, on the other hand, was Jewish and celebrated Hanukkah—lighting the menorah, receiving gifts over eight nights, and attending Friday night services at the Temple. Although the two holidays were different, both centered around family, love, and delicious food. We welcomed the opportunity to merge our traditions, deciding together what was essential and how to build something meaningful for our children. By honoring what was important to each of us, we created a shared identity grounded in our own histories.

I cherished learning how to cook and bake from my grandmother—her baked ham, sweet potatoes, and apple pie recipes remain the best. I have countless sweet memories of our time together in the kitchen. I was equally blessed to learn from my husband’s aunt how to prepare brisket, potato latkes, noodle kugel, and matzah ball soup. I worked hard to master them all, and each dish holds a special place in our family celebrations.

At the heart of the holiday season is love—love for one another, for family, and for the memories we create together. The beauty of a blended family lies in embracing each other’s traditions with respect, curiosity, and joy. Together, we can make every season brighter, more inclusive, and full of warmth.

I extend my warmest wishes for a happy, healthy, and fabulous holiday season.