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Braden Wells

Ms. Martin

English 1301

01 December 2022

Holiday Traditions

Just like me, many people look forward to the holidays. Since I was young, I’ve always

enjoyed the time off of school and spent with family. Our Christmas traditions are unique and

creative because all of my family comes down from North Dakota and Oklahoma. Since my

parents are divorced, I have two separate Christmases, both with different traditions. Of all of the

Christmases, there is one special year that stands out to me the most. On that special Christmas, I

had received my favorite gift of all time and the fact that it was the last time everyone was

together made it that much more special. Even though I did not realize how special that

Christmas was at the time, I realize now that any Christmas from now on will probably not be

able to compare to this one, which sparked new traditions and will never be forgotten. The

family tradition is to put puzzles together, look at Christmas lights, and create a scavenger

hunt for the final present; although these are the current traditions, I plan on creating

future ones such as riding dirt bikes and going shooting.

On my mom's side of the family, both grandparents came down along with my aunt.

Since they are from North Dakota I don't get to see them very often. Every time I see my

grandpa we always put a puzzle together, which has always been a tradition. It was nice seeing

my family and catching up, everything was pretty much the same as the year before. The

traditional thing my family does is drive around and look at Christmas lights, usually driving
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through a light show. My favorite Christmas was a little bit different because instead of the usual

driving around looking at Christmas lights, we went to the Gaylord Resort. I really didn't want to

go because it sounded really boring, considering I thought it was going to be a long lined event

that had just a few ice sculptures. As we walked through I was amazed by all the sculpted ice art.

From the theme of the event to slides made of ice, I really enjoyed it. I wish this was our new

tradition every year. The next day we celebrated Christmas. Even though it wasn't Christmas day,

we had our Christmas meal and opened our presents. I have to say it has always been a close

competition on which side of the family can cook the best Christmas meal. Our family had

Christmas early because my parents switch holidays every year and it just so happened to be a

year that my dad had me for Christmas. As I started opening my presents, I noticed there weren't

near as many presents as the year before. I received a new basketball and some new clothes and

that was it. I wasn't too impressed by what I got, but I was very grateful that I got something. The

next day I was picked up by my dad.

On my dad's side of the family, both of his parents came down from Oklahoma. Since

my dad and my grandpa like to go to the shooting range, my dad thought it was time for me to go

shooting with the two of them. When we arrived at the range and set up all the targets, it was that

time. I was terrified thinking the recoil was going to hurt and possibly bruise my shoulder. It took

some convincing and quite a bit of time before I finally pulled the trigger. I ended up really

enjoying that afternoon and it made me feel like I could overcome so much more. Spending time

with my grandparents was always something I looked forward to and almost every year now

there is an arranged day to go to the shooting range with my grandpa. This is kind of a unique
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tradition, but it allows me to spend time with my family. It is tradition that we eat turkey and

ham on Christmas, then open presents after dinner.

My favorite Christmas was when I was ten years old. The first few presents were

exciting. My grandparents gave me some legos and a new football. I only thought that was the

best to come. I had opened up some smaller gifts, receiving nothing that was spectacular, but I

was definitely grateful. There was one gift that I had to wait until the end to open and it was in

the smallest box under the tree. At this point I thought I had pretty much unwrapped all the really

cool stuff.

The last present was the most unexpected. When I opened the box there was a piece of

paper inside. I unfolded the paper and read what was on it out loud. It was kind of confusing at

first because it was just directions to different locations in the house. After a few notes I knew it

was a scavenger hunt to find the final present. Once I found about 20 notes one leading the next I

knew I was about to uncover once I was in the shop. The last note said, “ go to the back of the

shop and take a right.” I started heading back there and as I turned the corner there was a dirt

bike just waiting for me. Our family now makes a scavenger hunt every year for at least one

present. Since I had ridden go-karts previously and loved riding my bike it was the perfect

present. It was late that night, so I had to wait until the next day to ride it. I was so excited to

ride it that I woke up early just to go ride my new dirt bike. It was very frustrating at first

because it turns out knowing how to ride a bike doesn't help much on a dirt bike, but after many

failed tries I finally figured it out. That was the best gift I have ever received to this day. I still

ride dirt bikes to this day and all because of that gift I received that Christmas. In fact, this
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Christmas break, I am riding my dirt bike with some family friends, and I hope this becomes a

tradition because my love for dirt bikes started because of that one special Christmas.

That Christmas, I had thought my dad was way better since I got a dirt bike from him and

not that much from my mom. Since I was only ten, I based my likeness on materials; what I did

not realize is that they both went in on it and my dad was just the one to give it to me. Even

though my parents were divorced they always put me first. I can’t be more thankful than to have

the two parents I received. I am blessed in so many ways because of these two.

The family tradition is to put puzzles together, look at Christmas lights, and create

a scavenger hunt for the final present; although these are the current traditions, I plan on

creating future ones such as riding dirt bikes and going shooting. My favorite Christmas

might never be matched. I will never have the same family at Christmas again due to the passing

of some and I will also never receive my first dirt bike again. In the future there might be

something that interests me more and the hope of a future family could change my opinion on

my favorite Christmas. I also hope the tradition continues in the family and I would love to have

more start.