Holiday traditions abound in Sisters Country

Sociologists say that traditions are important to good mental and emotional health, especially related to holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. The Nugget asked around to get a flavor of those rituals important to various readers. Here's what some had to say.

About one in three had the same sentiment as Bree Miller: "My favorite Christmas tradition is baking! From traditional sugar cookies to my mom's families' Sandbakkels. Now, with my own children it is something they also look forward to which is the best part of traditions."

Susan Van Atta in Tollgate agrees: "I do a three-day cookie-baking extravaganza... kind of a bake 'til you drop situation. Sometimes I can find people to join in, which makes it so much fun. Other times, I'm on my own. The good part is that at the end, I have plenty of homemade gifts to give to neighbors and friends."

Several others shared Ian Reid's sentiments: "Our family tradition, as surprising as it might not sound, is cutting a Christmas tree on the national forests. It started way back in college, changing from large group gatherings with friends to smaller, more intimate outings with just our core family and a thermos of hot chocolate.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

"Throughout the years, we've had white firs, grand firs, silver firs, Douglas firs, Engelmann spruce, incense cedar, and yes, even a lodgepole pine once - Charlie Brown at its finest. And every year we bring that tree home, savor the scent it brings to our house, put the white lights on and sit back and look at the tree. And we say that there could never be a more perfect tree. Until the next year."

Ruth Mallen in Cascade Estates told us about her gratitude jar: "I put a large vase out, or basket, and have everyone write down what they are grateful for and put it in the vase or basket. Depending on timing, we either read them out loud after dinner or at the end of the visit."

"Celebrate Saint Nicholas' birthday on December 7." That's a tradition for Zena Kuzma. "He was a real person, a bishop, and the patron saint of sailors...also women with no dowry headed for perhaps work of ill repute."

Many readers reported that their favorite traditions include grandchildren, like Diane Tolzman in Cloverdale: "I take my grandkids to the local Giving Tree and we each select a person to buy gifts for. We go shopping together and then go to dinner. Always includes a conversation about what we are thankful for and the opportunity we have to help someone else. We go together and deliver the gifts to the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Station."

Many others revealed that their long-held traditions center around trees, lights, candles, hot chocolate, or rummaging for decorations and wearing outlandish hats and sweaters.