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Irina Iriser
TX State | Life

6 Holiday Rituals My Family Swears By (Even If No One Else Does)

Zoie Tidmore Student Contributor, Texas State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TX State chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

1. Thanksgiving Goes Global

While most families stick to turkey and stuffing, we mix it up with dishes from different countries each year. One Thanksgiving might be Italian; the next, Thai. It’s unpredictable, but it keeps the table and the photos interesting. We can thank my stepdad for that idea, he says turkey twice so close together is boring.

2. Christmas Decor Must Wait Its Turn

I am a firm believer that Christmas decor shouldn’t invade November. Fall deserves its moment. So, the day after Thanksgiving is when the Christmas music starts, the tree comes out, and my sisters and I still take turns putting the angel on top.

3. Christmas Eve Gifts, Christmas Morning Magic

We open presents from our extended family on Christmas Eve, a tradition that feels like a warm-up for the main event. Christmas morning is just for me, my mom, and my sisters, quiet, cozy, and chaotic in the best way.

4. Wrapping Gifts With My Mom

For years, my mom and I have tackled the wrapping together. We pick out the gifts, match the paper and ribbons, and somehow make a mess every single time. It’s one of the rare moments during the season when we actually slow down. I don’t get to see my mom as much nowadays, so I look forward to these moments every year.

5. Game Night Takes Over Christmas Eve

Once the gifts are opened, the competition begins. Our Christmas Eve game night always features the infamous plastic-wrap ball game filled with funny prizes. My aunt found it online one year ago, and we’ve played it among many other games since. It’s loud, chaotic, and, honestly, the highlight of the night.

6. Black-Eyed Peas for New Year’s Luck

According to family rule (aka my mom tells us so), the new year cannot begin until we’ve eaten our black-eyed peas. No matter how you feel about them, they’re nonnegotiable—because good luck is serious business.

These traditions may not make sense to anyone outside our family, but that’s exactly what makes them special. They’re the small rituals, the inside jokes, and the perfectly imperfect moments that turn the holiday season into something uniquely ours. And honestly, those are the traditions worth keeping. 

Happy Holidays from me to you! 

Zoie Tidmore

TX State '27

Zoie Tidmore is a Senior Editor and Writer for the Texas State University chapter of Her Campus, where she plays a key role in leading the editorial team and upholding Her Campus Media’s publishing standards. In her position, Zoie oversees a team of eight writers, guiding them through the writing and editing process to ensure clarity, consistency, and authenticity across all published content. She supports writers in developing strong pitches, refining drafts, and maintaining the chapter’s voice, while also contributing her own work to the site. Zoie is particularly interested in covering politics, media, and culture, with a focus on how these areas impact college students and younger audiences.

Outside of Her Campus, Zoie is a Journalism major at Texas State University with minors in Media Studies and Political Science. She previously worked as a writer for The University Star, where she learned how to cover stories relevant to the campus and local community. Zoie joined Her Campus in Spring 2025 as a writer and has since grown into her role as Senior Editor, gaining more experience in editing, mentoring writers, and contributing to the chapter’s editorial leadership.

When she’s not working on her degree or editing articles, Zoie enjoys reading romance novels, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. She is an aspiring journalist who hopes to educate and inform others about issues shaping the future of the world, using storytelling as a way to create understanding and spark meaningful conversations.