Several years ago, I was telling a co-worker about some of the things my family does every Christmas, including some things that drove me crazy. She quickly pointed out that the things we felt obligated to do, even if we hated them, were rituals. The things we enjoyed doing every year were the actual traditions. Since then, I've tried to root out the rituals that suck out my energy and repeat only those things that bring the family and myself joy.

What are your traditions? What things do you look forward to every year, the ones that make you laugh, that fill you with warmth? Maybe you'll find a new tradition to start.