An anthropologist explains why we love holiday rituals and traditions

By: Dimitris Xygalatas, University of Connecticut, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 8, 2025

Words: 1,243

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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The mere thought of holiday traditions brings smiles to most people’s faces and elicits feelings of sweet anticipation and nostalgia. We can almost smell those candles, taste those special meals, hear those familiar songs in our minds.

Ritual marks some of the most important moments in our lives, from personal milestones like birthdays and weddings to seasonal celebrations like Thanksgiving and religious holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah. And the more important the moment, the …

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