I just returned from a grueling 50 hour turnaround (4.5 hours driving each way) trip in which I was subject to hard labor and confusion. The trick about this is that I did it by choice, full of anticipation.

My parents hold a caroling party each year where we have Cossack stew, eggnog, pot luck delights, interesting conversations, and most of all (for me at least) we have people joyfully singing the songs I’ve enjoyed since childhood without care for performance or whether or not they can carry a tune (though most of them have beautiful voices and the joy in those of us with weaker voices covers all ills).

Sure, to enjoy this wonderful event I have to drive a long way, and it’s not always possible because of snow in the passes, but when it isn’t, I regret not being able to come.

This party, to me, is the essence of the holidays. People get together to enjoy good company, meet strangers who might become friends, and share joy all without judging or condemning. It’s not about who gives the better gifts, who spent the most…or the least…or any of those things that make people forget the purpose of celebrating.

Instead, I was not alone in my hard labor. By some hiccup of the Evite system, a couple people’s invites had times that were off. They could have left. They could have grumbled and complained. What they did was sit down and chat until we arrived to set things up for the party, and then joined in, changing the impossible (circumstances had gone against my parents in the timing and everything was running a wee bit behind) into the crazy but delightful possibility. That’s what it should be about. Not fancy dresses, fine wines, and waiters in stiff suits, but everyone pitching in to make it wonderful for everyone.

And when we finished the cleanup, we crashed hard, but it was worth it.

Oh, and a side story was the Nevada Humane Society called for a lift for a kitty from an hour away from where I was back to Reno. So I stayed a little longer in trying to get in contact with them. However, they managed to find another type of happy ending for the kitty, a home where she currently was. And yet, I still arrived before sundown, in time to celebrate Hanukah with my family (it was supposed to be the first night, but my hubby miscalculated). Our traditions there are more in line with the typical celebration of candles and presents, but we mix it up a little by using the menorah my in-laws gave the kids, a semi-truck.

So, what are your holiday traditions? Do you have one that is your absolute favorite?