The holidays are filled with traditions of all kinds – sacred, off-beat, classic, new…

I recently took an informal Twitter poll about the holiday traditions Wichitans hold near and dear. Some of these may be just like your own and some might become new additions to your list of must-dos for the season.

I will start with mine because, frankly, I’m writing this article and can do what I want. A holiday tradition my husband and I have had every year is to drink champagne or wine and watch A Christmas Story as we hurriedly wrap presents and assemble Santa presents on Christmas Eve. This year we don’t have anything to wrap because I already did it (benefit #645 of staying home) and our Santa gifts should be less difficult to put together. This means we get more wine time!

Now on to the results of the poll:

PR pro and mom Susan Dyer said, “My favorite tradition is that all the adults get a lottery ticket in their stocking. No one has won… yet!”

Kelsey Rawson, Mom-to-be and another PR pro said, “Mimosas while we open presents. Though this year I’ll just be having plain ol’ OJ. Also, Mexican or Italian food for dinner. ”

Graphic designer for Heartspring, Jennifer Harjo, said, “We watch Christmas Vacation while wrapping gifts (and sipping some wine).”

Bailey Ketterman, a high school English teacher said, “Starbucks Egg Nog lattes and Lights on the Lake [a benefit for Heartspring]!”

Carreen Simon, PR pro at Dress for Success said, “My husband and I go on a holiday date every year at Botanica’s Illuminations. Love strolling the gardens and drinking cocoa!”

Katie Cox, who also works for COX, said “My best friend and I always visit Lights on the Lake then spend the rest of night looking for more Xmas lights!”

Drug rep and Shocker Fitness cheerleader Deena Flannigan Kreutzer said, “I make my version of Schweddy Balls & over the years the kids caroling has turned into customized songs from rap, hip-hop and cheers.”

Dani Stone, a work-from-home mom of two said, “Childhood Christmas breakfast: Dolly Madison Cinnamon Rolls slathered in butter THEN peanut butter. I still make ‘em. CRACKY GOOD!”

Other musts for Wichitans include:

• Watching Santa’s Workshop on KAKE-TV 10 (4:30 p.m. week nights).
• Attending Hanukkah dinner and Shabbat Service at a local synagogue.
• Watching Clara battle the mouse army in “The Nutcracker.”
• Driving through The Lights on St. Paul, a benefit for The Arc of Sedgwick County.
• Attending church Christmas Eve or midnight Mass.
• Getting your gawk on at the house in Midtown on Park Place (the one with all the decorations) and homes in College Hill and Crown Heights with lights and luminaria galore.

Lights, food, drink, giving, worshipping – all of these make up the traditions that bind our families and friends together each holiday season.

Now, I want to hear from you. What are your holiday traditions?

Related posts:

1. [do] Holiday Lights Brighten Up Wichita
2. daily [snap] – Traditions Storefront
3. [do] Homemade Holiday Gifts That Don’t Suck
4. [drink] Where to Go When You’re Thirsty on Christmas
5. [date] Single & Fabulous this Holiday Season