My family can't be the only one in which holiday traditions have taken on a life of their own.
It started between the years my siblings and I were too old to obsess over gifts, but before we had children of our own and could revel in their excitement. Perhaps we were looking for ways to liven things up and thus "Mission: Holiday Photo Re-creation" was born.
The inaugural year was 2008. We dug in the basement for every single picture that Mom had taken of us to send out with her holiday cards. There were plenty of doozies in there -- but we decided to start with 1992, a solid choice. From the ugly Christmas sweaters (sorry, Mom) and matching turtlenecks, to my feathered 1990s bangs, we had plenty to work with.
There was something about making fun of each other with each other that brought us all closer together and taught us to not take life so seriously -- especially during the holidays.
No matter how bizarre, humorous, and potentially embarrassing, we want to hear about your family's traditions (not limited to Christmas). E-mail your stories to aimee.tjader@startribune.com or call 612-673-1715. We'll choose the best stories to be published in the Star Tribune from Thanksgiving through the New Year.
