Continuing family traditions and customs during the holiday season is a powerful way to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Whether it's decorating the tree together, sharing a special meal or telling stories passed down through generations, these rituals offer a sense of continuity and connection to the past. They provide comfort and stability, especially during times of change or stress, and help to cultivate a shared identity within the family.

In an ever-changing world, these enduring customs serve as a reminder of the importance of family and the simple joys of being together. At DSST celebrating the unique and exciting experiences of our community is important. Please read what some of our spectacular staff have to share about their customs and traditions around this time of year.

Patrice A. (DSST: Green Valley Ranch MS) 

The biggest thing about holidays with the Allen’s is that you need to understand your assignment! Everyone has specific dishes and jobs that do not change (unless a sibling gets married, and the new family member gets a job that plays to their strengths). For instance, my sister and I always handle the desserts, dad takes charge of turkey, ham and yams, sister-in-law is strictly macaroni and cheese, brother is the grill master, and my mom holds it down with the dressing, collard greens, potato salad, etc. and I am the bonafide taste tester for nearly all of it. If ANYONE falls out of line or swaps assignments without notice or family approval, Santa will hear it from the North Pole. Other than that, music is blasting until football comes on and after dinner, we play games (cards, scrabble, connect 4, etc.) while we all enjoy a cup of coffee.

Patrice’s Holiday Recipe advice: 

When it comes to food for the holidays, there is no recipe. You better be watching and paying attention to what mom does- period 😋

Trystan L. (DSST: Montview MS)

Since my little family (my partner, me, and my adult son) moved to Denver, we don't go home for the holidays, and we don't cook traditional meals. Last year, I decided to start making my Mimi's lasagna for Christmas Day. The funny thing about this recipe is that she made it to be simple. I was a teenager when she taught me. I still remember her giving me directions in her kitchen. It was over 25 years ago!

Click Here For Mimi’s Lasagna Recipe

Dr. Aaron G. (Home Office)

The holidays share multiple meanings for me: I met my wife in December 2000. Her birthday is Dec. 26. We were married a year later on Dec. 15, 2001. My son Solomon was born on Dec. 18. I also defended my PhD on Dec. 18. My son Langston was born on Nov. 8. So, during this season, I enjoyed many things like time with my sons when they were born and the joys of parenthood and my anniversary with my wife. I love this season. It is the end of the year and a constant reminder of all that I personally worked towards.

Leah A. (GVR HS)

Growing up, my mom made everything by hand for us, including our clothes.  In our matching outfits, my mom showed us how to make Toll House cookies and her famous dinner rolls.  I still haven't perfected the roll recipe, which is important to carry on these traditions to my kids. (The rolls recipe is a family secret, but the Toll House cookie recipe is perfection!)

Click here for Leah’s FAVORITE Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

*Cookie Perfection tips: Ingredients in Toll House Cookies  Salted butter, softened – I prefer using salted butter. If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the dough.  Granulated sugar Brown sugar Vanilla extract Eggs All-purpose flour Baking soda Salt Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels Chopped nuts (optional) – I omitted the nuts, so as instructed I added an extra 2 tbsp of flour.

Salvador R. (Home Office)

My mom is the center of our winter holiday traditions when it comes to the food we eat. Every winter holiday season there are three foods/drinks you can count on. Tamales for the main course: Rojos, verdes, rajas con queso and (depending on the mood) de dulce as well. Buñuelos, a thin, crispy, fried dough dessert that can be topped with cinnamon and sugar for dessert. And a ponche to accompany everything else. A warm comforting fruit punch that includes ingredients like guava, cinnamon, and sugar cane. While the food itself is important to our Mexican heritage, it's really the community that comes together to enjoy the food amongst chismes, laughs and love.

Keceya J. (Home Office)

I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, with a heart full of Southern sensibilities and a deep appreciation for Southern cuisine. My mother, Dr. Delores Bolden Stamps, hailed from the Mississippi Delta, where her mother — a home economics educator — created culinary magic, especially during the holidays. One cherished family tradition was her Mississippi Mud, a decadent dessert with a pecan crust, layers of chocolate pudding and cream cheese, topped with cool whip, pecans, and cherries. Every Christmas, my cousins and I would devour it until we were almost sick! This beloved treat has stood the test of time, becoming a favorite for the next generation as well.

Click Here For Keceya’s Mississippi Mud Pie

Bree C. (Home Office)

For the past seven years, one of my closest friends has hosted an annual Kwanzaa party. As friends and family, we come together to reflect on the significance of the seven principles of Kwanzaa in our lives over the past year and set our intentions for how we will incorporate them in the future. It has become especially meaningful to have this tradition each year as our families grow, and our children begin to participate as well. It's the perfect way to close out the holiday season!

Do you have a favorite family recipe or tradition? Share it with us in the comments below.