THE older I got, the more I wanted to preserve our family’s Christmas traditions. But the more I grew up, I also found more difficulty keeping them.

One Christmas tradition I hold close to my heart is our family Noche Buena. I’ve never spent Christmas apart from my family. There have been many instances when my friends would invite me to spend the holidays at the beach or in another country. The thought always appealed to me, the thrill of a new Christmas experience excited me. But always, always, I would say no. Christmas meant being with my grandparents, my family, my aunts, uncles and cousins. Christmas won’t be Christmas without my family.

Traditions during Christmas are important to me because they bring my family together. We used to be one huge bunch. My grandparents’ home would be littered with candy wrappers and grandchildren giggling all over the place. We would play parlor games, go caroling, wait till midnight and scream Merry Christmas! And then we’d dive into our presents. Over the years, family members began migrating to other countries until there were not more than twelve of us. It was weird seeing the numbers dwindle, but at the core of our hearts, we knew we were still family. At least that’s why I continue to choose spending Christmas Eve with my relatives.

Traditions only begin to lose their meaning when they turn into habits that turn mechanical. You know, going to a family gathering just because you have to, not because you want to. It’s making an appearance but not making your presence felt. It’s heartless, really, and very, very sad.

Keeping traditions alive during the holidays helps keep the Christmas spirit alive. Sometimes you feel like you’ve outgrown them, but it’d be good to keep it alive for the younger ones — nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren… I think of the little ones and that’s all the reason I need to put more love into keeping our Christmas traditions sacred. It’s a magical time for them, and it’d be great to keep the magic alive for them for as long as we can.

I’m looking forward to our Noche Buena. It will be another intimate gathering for sure. There may not be many of us now, but the fact that we’re still celebrating it together means we all hold dear to us the true meaning of Christmas — family and love.

Merry Christmas everyone. Here’s wishing your Christmas traditions are full of love and cheer.