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| Simple moments, big memories. |
Starting My Own Cozy Traditions At Home
It’s only a few days until the holidays. Back home, this was always the season of rushing, of leaving the house earlier than planned and still arriving late. I remember spending those days helping my Mom with the groceries. I loved the feeling of my Dad pushing the cart while my Mom carefully checked her list of what to buy. Christmas especially was very special in our family. I remember my Grandma and my Mom teaming up to make the best dishes. Dishes so good that you could feel the holidays in every bite.
Doing the groceries never felt like a chore. For me, it was fun and full of little adventures. My sister, my Dad, and I sneaking a treat or two, only for my Mom to catch us at the cashier. Afterward, my Dad would always insist we stop for a good lunch before heading home, knowing our kitchen would be busy the moment we stepped through the front door. Once home, my Mom, my Grandma, and our house help would dive into preparing the feast, while I joined them, helping however I could.
Growing up surrounded by people who loved to cook, I naturally found joy in being in the kitchen myself, preparing dishes that those I cared about would enjoy. And even in the midst of all the bustling activity, my Dad would occasionally call me away, inviting me to join him as he sang his favorite songs in karaoke. Whenever my favorite song was up next, he made sure I wouldn’t miss it, making the holidays feel full of warmth, laughter, and love.
Since moving to Japan, the holidays have taken on a quieter rhythm, still busy, but softer around the edges. The rush is gentler, the pace calmer. Yet, the spirit of those childhood moments still lingers in me, guiding how I celebrate today.
This year, I’m planning my own cozy traditions: baking Christmas cookies, making my own Christmas cake, enjoying slow mornings with hot coffee, sharing warm meals at home, and having movie nights wrapped in blankets. I imagine laughter, the smell of baked treats, music playing softly in the background, and moments that feel as rich as any big holiday celebration.
As I write my list and imagine these plans, I find myself smiling, thinking, Maybe this is what the holidays are really supposed to feel like—no matter where you are or how the world rushes around you.
