A Season of Seals, Stories & Starting New Traditions

The holidays have a way of slowing us down just enough to notice what really matters. They pull memories forward - some inherited, some newly formed - and they gently remind us that tradition doesn’t have to be old to be meaningful. Sometimes, the most beautiful traditions are the ones we begin almost by accident. In our family, the holidays are a blend. Two histories, two childhoods, two ways of celebrating - now woven into something entirely our own. And every year, we add another small ritual to the tapestry.

One of my favorite traditions has become our Christmas cards. Not just sending them - making them. My son helps me each year. We clear the table, stack the envelopes, and pull out our vintage wax seal kit. One by one, we stamp and seal each envelope, pressing the wax carefully, waiting for it to set.

There’s something grounding about the repetition - the pause between each seal. Last Thanksgiving, while we were in Rome, we found a small gold wax pen tucked into a stationery shop. It’s meant to be traced gently over the hardened wax - just enough shimmer to bring the letter or symbol to life. Now, each seal gets its finishing touch, and every card feels a little like a keepsake. It’s become a quiet evening tradition. No rush. No perfection. Just stories, laughter, and hands busy with something tangible. 

This year, my cards are late. And instead of feeling apologetic about it, I’m choosing to let that be a much needed extension of holiday spirit. Traditions aren’t about timeliness - they’re about intention. And maybe that’s the real magic of the season: remembering that it’s never too late to start something new.