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.
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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