Editor's Notebook: Time for New Traditions

As I write this, I'm sitting in a state in which I've never before celebrated Christmas: Florida, the "Sunshine State."

You could also say I'm in a state of reflection. Things have changed a little bit for my family since last Christmas, and I've spent the last few days considering these changes: My mother, stepfather, and maternal grandmother moved to Florida from New York in 2012.

At first I was weary of spending a holiday in Florida, but when I finally saw my parents so joyfully enjoying their retirement, their happiness was contagious. The sunshine – although originally disconcerting, especially given that snow that fell on Long Island – eventually brightened my mood and helped me embrace the idea of changing the way we celebrate Christmas. For the first time, we watched the Walt Disney Christmas parade on TV, instead of watching the Macy's parade in New York City.

In 2012 my younger sister and her husband welcomed a new baby into the family. To watch my now 10-month-old nephew Roger open his Christmas presents was unlike any other moment I've ever experienced.

Looks like it's time to make some new traditions.

What about you? How have your family traditions changed over the years? Log in to Patch and share your thoughts as a comment below.