In my family someone is always rushing out the door- but despite our busy schedules, there are a few traditions my parents manage to continue year after year. My favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree. Though helping my parents drag the enormous tree out of the attic was a lot more fun as a little girl, I will never tire of the satisfaction our fully decorated lighted and ornamented tree gives me. Admittedly, our tree looks a little different. Instead of using my mother’s fancy glass ornaments my sister and I insist on decorating the tree with ornaments we have collected throughout our travels. We have dignified miniature Buckingham guards from London, stylish fashion dolls from Paris, and little stuffed howler monkeys from Costa Rica. Looking at our tree, and seeing all the places we’ve gone as a family, all while singing cheesy carols and drinking hot chocolate is the best feeling in the world. As I get older and become more independent I appreciate the little moments my family spends together the most. Though they might seem silly, our holiday traditions will never be forgotten.