10 realistic holiday traditions to start with your family this year
Many families -- maybe even yours -- honor holiday traditions that have spanned generations. You know, like choosing a yearly Christmas tree ornament, or pulling apart that turkey wishbone with Aunt Patricia.
In fact, festive traditions are so fun that it's tempting to start a few more this year. But in 2016, a year already fraught with holiday political arguments and tense family dinners, starting a new tradition might be a little difficult.
But it's not impossible! Try these 2016-appropriate traditions and you and yours will be soaked in warm holiday spirit in no time.
1. Enjoy the world's natural beauty by taking the scenic route to Grandma's.
For example, if you're going from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., try driving up to Detroit, tracing the entire Canadian border, enjoying the Northwest, then cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway before heading back east to kick off the holidays.
2. Employ the traditional holiday greeting: a low, wordless hum.
If everyone says "hi" to each other with a low, wordless hum, no one can ask you about your nose piercing -- at least for now.
3. Instead of holding hands for the before-dinner prayer, do not hold hands.
A fun twist on holding hands.
4. Before you eat, go around the table and reveal the place you would rather be.
For example, you would rather be driving along the Canadian border.
5. Make sure to laugh at someone else's answer.
But if someone laughs at yours, don't be a good sport.
6. After dinner, enjoy a nice book in a room separate from everyone else.
If all the rooms are taken, head out to the driveway. Don't forget to put on your coat!
7. Call out your cousin for cheating at Trouble.
Every year, Cousin Brock cheats at Trouble, a children's game at which it is nearly impossible to cheat. This year -- and every year henceforth -- Brock's getting called out for moving seven spaces instead of six. Hell yeah.
8. When they're not watching, drop a big piece of coal in each of your relatives' pockets.
Just like the bell in The Polar Express!
9. Watch your beloved VHS of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which, as you have known for years, is broken and will stop playing somewhere around the 41-minute mark.
It doesn't matter anyway -- everyone will fall asleep by minute 30.
10. Yell.
Yell at your family, especially those who have wronged you this year.
Happy holidays!
Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.
