Staff Favorites: Cozy Winter Holiday Traditions

The holiday season is here, and our full-time team is ready to embrace all the cozy, magical moments that come with it! From sipping hot cocoa by the fire to decorating the tree and sharing family recipes, we asked our staff to reveal the traditions that make this time of year so special. Whether you’re all about sparkling lights, festive treats, or simply gathering with loved ones, their stories are sure to spark inspiration, and maybe even a new tradition or two, for your own holiday celebrations.

“My grandmother makes hundreds of salt dough ornaments every fall and sells them at her neighborhood’s clubhouse—usually the first week of December! My whole family helps run the open house, brings snacks and drinks, and stays the whole time! I always felt like the holidays really started once her Ornament Fair happened. I also have very vivid childhood memories of drinking Russian tea and eating what my family calls “trash” (homemade Chex Mix) at these events and playing with my cousins. In addition, each year my grandma makes every grandchild a stocking ornament and fills the stocking with miniatures that represent different events that happened in their year! I literally have one for every year of my life, which makes for sweet Ebenezers that I can look back on and remember different parts of my childhood!” — Kate “Jiggy” Burns, Springs Women’s Director

“‘A Christmas Story’ is a MUST watch with homemade hot chocolate! It’s a known fact that my Nana’s is the best in the world, but any kind will do!”  — Annelise “Smilin’” Morrison, Silverado Camp Director

“My family and I love to take holiday cakeball or cookie decorating classes! We also love to make and enjoy hot chocolate bombs. Another holiday tradition we have enjoyed recently was attending the Elf interactive movie party at the Alamo Drafthouse.” — Kate “Bones” Swanner, Outback Women’s Director

“Once the winter weather finally arrives, there’s nothing better than burrowing under a gigantic, heavy blanket with a book! And to REALLY set the vibe, I love to find a cozy vintage video on YouTube to dial the comfiness level up to 11. Whether it’s a toasty fireplace or a snowy vista, this will make your reading conditions beyond perfect.” — Valerie “Ouch Potato” Morby, Senior Content Manager

“My Christmas season would not be complete without Christmas movies! ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (the Jim Carrey version) is my ALL TIME FAVORITE! I can probably quote that entire movie and will quote it multiple times in conversations before the season is over. ‘The Santa Clause’ is a super close second pick. Christmas doesn’t feel right without a mug of hot chocolate and these two movies.

Another one of my favorite traditions is a candlelight service at church. I love the imagery created by starting in a dark room that is slowly illuminated with flickering lights as we sing of Jesus being the light of the world. It is such a beautiful picture of the impact Christ has. He came as a single shining light that spread to the hearts of His people as a way to bring hope, light, and life for all who believe in Him as Messiah.” — Eli “Peter Porker” Creasy, Digital Operations and Media Manager

“Every year for Christmas my aunt, who’s really good at bringing us all together, likes to treat our whole family to an experience of some kind. One year we went axe throwing, another year we played whirly ball (which is like lacrosse except you’re also driving a bumper car), and another year we went to a pop-up Christmas market in Arlington, Texas! There was delicious food, fun shopping booths, ice skating, and a Christmas light maze! We also started a new tradition a few years ago where we make homemade marshmallows together and, let me tell you, they blow the store-bought ones out of the water! We’ll flavor them with chocolate, peppermint, or vanilla and then add them to hot cocoa while we settle in for a classic Christmas movie!” — Emma “TBT” Hancock, Communications Coordinator

“My wife makes these really good maple pumpkin cookies that have become increasingly synonymous with the fall and winter! I also have become a Dutch Bros hot chocolate fiend! Especially the salted caramel flavor. It is majorly sweet, so I recommend half sweet unless you’re about that life. And then obviously any beverage with peppermint becomes premier!” — Conor “Flow” Barry, Ridge Camp Director

We hope these traditions from our team brought a little extra warmth to your holiday season. May your days be full of good company, fairy lights, and moments that feel like gathering around a cozy campfire. And who knows, maybe a new tradition sparked here will become a favorite for years to come!