As the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the traditions that make this time of year so special. Traditions are a wonderful way to connect with our loved ones and create lasting memories, and here at Health Partners, we’re celebrating the unique and meaningful ways our employees mark the season.
From thoughtful gestures to heart-warming family activities, we’re excited to share some of the personal traditions our team members hold dear.
Building a Story with Decorations
Carolyne Pike-Harris, Senior Case Manager
For Carolyne, Christmas is a time to revisit cherished memories of family adventures. “We have a Christmas tradition that my parents started, where we buy a Christmas decoration every year from a place we’ve visited. Over the years, it builds a story of all the adventures we’ve had.”
Each December, as the decorations are carefully unpacked, Carolyne and her family are reminded of the places they’ve explored together. “It’s really nice getting them all out each December and remembering all the places we’ve been,” she adds. This beautiful tradition weaves their travels into the fabric of Christmas, making each holiday season a celebration of both family and shared experiences.
A Greek Orthodox Christmas
Kornilia Givissi, Clinical Manager, Psych Health
"Growing up, Greek Orthodox Christmas was always a mix of faith, family, and the kind of traditions that leave you stuffed for days", say's Kornilia. "Let’s start with the food, because, well, priorities. Melomakarona – those honey-soaked, walnut-covered biscuits – are the undisputed queens of Christmas treats. I make them with my daughter now, though half the honey ends up on the counter instead of the biscuits. Then there’s kourabiedes, the powdered sugar almond cookies that look like snowballs. Personally, I’ve always been Team Melomakarona, but Greeks take sides on this – it’s like the biscuit version of a derby match. And of course, there’s the kalanta. On the eve of Christmas, New Year’s, and Theofania (Epiphany), we’d grab a triangle and head out to sing traditional carols door-to-door. It was part festive cheer, part entrepreneurial endeavour, as we’d come home loaded with coins – not bad for a day’s work!"
"Now, Santa Claus isn’t the star of the show in Greece – that honour goes to Agios Vasilis (Saint Basil), who brings gifts on New Year’s Eve. But it’s not all about presents; there’s a beautiful tradition of charity in his name, as Saint Basil was known for helping the poor, especially children in need. Many families donate to charity or give to those less fortunate as part of the celebrations. And then, of course, there’s the Vasilopita! That’s the New Year’s cake with a hidden coin inside. Cutting it at midnight is like a suspenseful family lottery – everyone’s watching their slice like a hawk, hoping to strike gold and claim bragging rights for the year. Between the singing, the sweets, and the generosity, it’s a season that’s equal parts heartwarming and deliciously chaotic – very Greek!"
Christmas Walks and Highland Cows
Katie Lionheart, Marketing & Communications Manager
For Katie, the festive season wouldn’t be complete without a visit to some furry friends. “Every Christmas while at my parents’ house, for at least 15 years, we would ‘visit the cows’ – highland cows that live in a large field on a hill about 20 minutes up our rural road,” Katie explains.
The timing of the walk became an important part of the tradition. “The walk had to be carefully planned around an ever-changing Christmas dinner schedule. We would peer into the oven, check the progress on the contents, and decide whether we had time to visit the cows before dinner was cooked, or whether it would have to wait until afterwards.”
Armed with carrots in their pockets, Katie and her family would trek up the hill, meet the highland cows and give them a festive treat. Along the way, they’d exchange greetings with other neighbours out for their own Christmas walks. “It was a lovely tradition and a relatively short walk, but it holds such fond memories,” Katie reflects.
An Advent of Giving
Rebecca Cheadle, RCM
Rebecca’s Christmas tradition is one of generosity and thoughtfulness. As a single parent, she wanted to instil the spirit of giving in her children, even when times were tough. “I didn’t have any spare money to donate to charities when my children were growing up, but in December, when my children opened their advent calendar window to eat the chocolate, they would have to put an item of food into a box so that it could be taken to the local food bank before Christmas Day,” Rebecca shares.
This simple yet impactful gesture became a way for Rebecca’s family to give back to others during the festive season. “My children are now adults, and they/we still do this. It is now one of our family traditions,” she adds proudly.
This heartfelt act of kindness reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas – helping those in need and spreading goodwill.
At Health Partners, we’re proud to celebrate the traditions and cultures of our employees, and we hope these stories inspire you to reflect on your own festive traditions or even create new ones.
Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season filled with cherished memories and meaningful connections!
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