Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family. The holidays are here, and I hope yours are filled with peace and joy. Traditions are a big part of holidays and special events. They are things built over time, sometimes with great intention and other times starting with special moments that are continued each year.
In this episode, I’m sharing some of my holiday traditions and my gift for you.
Happy Holidays 2024 Episode Transcript
My family has many traditions around the holidays. Some of them started with special moments my parents created. Others were started out of sibling revelry, and some I intentionally started with my own family.
When I was a teenager, my Mom started one of our favorite holiday traditions. Like any tradition with teenagers, we moaned and complained about it at first but then came to love it. We call it Secret Pals, and it starts on Thanksgiving. Every family member’s name are written on little slips of paper and put into a bowl. Everyone then draws a name. The person you pick is your Secret Pal until Christmas morning.
You can probably guess from the name that you are not supposed to tell anyone who your Secret Pal is. From Thanksgiving until Christmas, you must secretly do nice things for your pal. For example, you might take out or make their bed for them when they’re not around. The other big part is you have to make them a handmade gift that is given on Christmas morning when we all reveal our Secret Pals.
My siblings and I had the tradition of sleeping on the floor in the same room on Christmas Eve. I’d like to say this one started out of love and friendship, but it was not. It started out of distrust. We were worried one would go down and see all the presents first. Although our parents told us it was a fire hazard, one of us even slept in front of the door to ensure no sneaking out without the whole crew.
I’ve started the tradition of mini stockings on Christmas Eve. It wasn’t something I intentionally started but more to stop my kids from asking me over and over again if they could open a present on Christmas Eve. I am a big “no presents until Christmas morning” fan. So, being able to hand out mini stuffings with a little something holds them over until the next morning. It’s a compromise.
I also have a Potpourri Party on Christmas Eve after church. It’s a mix of fun food. Most are appetizers so that you can have a little of everything. Then we watch movies. I have boys, so Die Hard is a Christmas movie at my house.
I have the tradition of making homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. I put them in the oven as soon as we start opening presents so the house smells yummy and they are ready to eat by the time gifts are opened. Then I make a big breakfast and we relax for the day before a big prime rib dinner.
My Dad always read Twas the Night Before Christmas to me and my siblings every Christmas Eve. I’ve continued that tradition with my boys. It’s mandatory reading at my house.
This time last year, I read something I now want to read again. It’s about the magic of Christmas and the holidays. It’s a poem by Jenessa Docking called It Will Be You.
Here it is.
“It will be you.
They don’t know it yet, but when they’re grown and starting their own Christmas traditions, it will be you they mirror. Your family recipes will grace their holly-dressed table, and the classic punch you spiked will come out after lunch. They’ll search for the same candle scent that you burned to get that nostalgic smell that is woven into their memories. They will play the carols that feel like home, that feel like you. Their children’s handmade snowmen and reindeer will be hung with pride just like theirs were, and carrots will be nibbled on Christmas Eve in the same way you did it all those years ago. Morning elves, phantom sleigh bells and Santa photos will create the same joy and excitement for their kids that you created for them.
When they think of Christmas, it will be you.
It will be you they emulate, you they remember, you they want to be for their kids.
You’re their memories, you’re their magic, you’re their Christmas.”
Related: A Reminder of What’s to Come
Last year, I also read my version of It Will Be You but the money version I wrote because the same concept applies to money. The things your kids will do with money because of you. Here is my “It will be you” the money version.
“It will be you.
They don’t know it yet, but when they’re grown and starting their own money traditions, it will be you they mirror. Your family budget will grace their kitchen table, and the Excel sheet you jazzed up will come out every month. They’ll search for the same colored highlighters that you used to get that nostalgic budget feel that is woven into their memories. They will play the get pumped for budgeting music that feels like home, that feels like you. Their children’s first hard-earned paycheck and budget will be hung with pride just like theirs were, and wallets will be organized on payday in the same way you did it all those years ago. Side hustles, buying stocks, and savings goals will create the same joy and excitement for their kids that you created for them.
When they think of money, it will be you.
It will be you they emulate, you they remember, you they want to be for their kids.
You’re their memories, you’re their magic, you’re their money traditions.”
I’ve officially started a new tradition on the MILMO Show now. I’ve read it two years in a row.
The little things you say and do concerning money, traditions, or other things impact your kids. Even if you don’t have kids, the other point is it is you. You are the one who makes the impact on your financial life.
I think the It Will Be You poem and my adaptation are great to reflect on at the end of the year.
I said it last year, and I’m saying it again this year. As we prepare to move into 2025, I’d like to challenge you to make one small change in your life once a month in 2025. A small change that helps you to reach one of your financial, business, or personal goals. You don’t have to overthink it. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. It could be doing one perfect push-up a day or taking one week off from spending money on entertainment or new clothes. Or it could be increasing your TSP contribution by 1%. The little things you do go beyond having an extra $20 in monthly savings. They help you develop small positive habits that are the gateway to bigger habits and long-term success.
So I challenge you to commit now to add one small change starting January 1st, then keep it and add another small change on February 1st, then keep both of those and another on March 1st. If you do that all year long, you’ll have used the power of compounding to reach your goals. You’ll find that you will go beyond what you think is possible when you use the power of compounding to get the results you want in life.
I believe in you and know that what you want to do is possible. You just have to start.
My Gift to You
I’m very grateful to have a podcast and that you subscribed and listen to it. I wanted to be able to give you a little something for the holidays. So here is my present to you, if you want it. To all my listeners, I’m giving you 30 minutes of financial or business coaching in 2025. I would love to help you reach one of your goals in the new year.
It’s your choice. If you would like to accept the gift, there will be links in the show notes to sign up for a time for us to meet. You don’t need to do anything else besides make the appointment. Then, just show up on a Zoom call, and I’ll take it from there.
I can help with any money challenges or opportunities you have or if you just need a sounding board. I can also help with any business questions you have. If you’re toying with the idea of starting one or a side hustle, I can help with that, too.
If you’re busy and can’t make time right now, no worries. The gift is good until the end of 2025.
Wrapping it Up
That is it, folks. I’m thinking of you and hope you have Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!Thank you to Navy Federal for providing support to the MILMO Show.
You can head over to milmo.co to get all of the resources and links from this episode, and while you’re there, be sure to sign up for the MILMO Memo newsletter to get all my updates.
I want to cover more of your personal finance and entrepreneurship questions. If you send in your questions, I’ll answer them on the show and send you a free MILMO Show t-shirt. You can find the link to ask your questions in the show notes.
I appreciate you listening. I’ll talk to you next week.
Related: My Podcasting Look Back: 300 Episodes and Counting
Resource From Happy Holidays 2024 Episode
MILMO Show Sponsor
Support for the MILMO Show is provided by Navy Federal Credit Union. It’s the holiday season or, as I like to call it, the spending Super Bowl. Expenses add up quickly this time of year. If you’re spending with Navy Federal’s NEW cashRewards Plus card, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. When you spend $2,000, you’ll receive 200 dollars cash back and a Walmart Plus annual membership. You can learn more at navyfederal.org.
Got Money Questions?
If you have questions about money or entrepreneurship, please fill out this form, and Lacey will answer them on the show and send you a free MILMO t-shirt!
