The holidays can stir up a mix of emotions, especially when someone special is no longer at the table. But Christmas also offers a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the people we’ve lost by weaving their memory into our seasonal rituals. Keeping their traditions alive brings warmth and connection to the present.
Here’s how you can honor a passed loved one this Christmas, incorporating their traditions and creating new ones with your family.
Recreate Their Signature Dish
Food has always been at the heart of Italian-American Christmas celebrations. If your loved one had a signature recipe—whether it was Nonna’s struffoli, Uncle Tony’s baccalà, or Mom’s homemade ravioli—make it part of your holiday menu.
Cooking their dish becomes an act of love. You can:
- Gather the family to prepare it together.
- Share stories about the person while you cook.
- Pass down the recipe to younger generations.
This simple tradition helps your loved one be remembered through the flavors and aromas that defined your holidays together.
Display a Special Ornament or Photo
Set aside a spot on your Christmas tree or mantel for something that represents your loved one. It could be an ornament they cherished, a framed photo, or even a small keepsake that reminds you of them.
Some families light a candle nearby or hang a personalized ornament with their name and photo. These small gestures create a visual reminder that they’re still part of your celebrations, even if they’re no longer physically present.
Continue Their Holiday Rituals
Did they always watch It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve? Did they insist on attending Midnight Mass? Maybe they loved driving around to see the neighborhood lights or reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to the kids.
Whatever it was, keep doing it. Repeating these rituals year after year keeps their presence alive in your family’s story. It also gives younger family members a way to feel connected to someone they may not have known well—or at all.
Toast to Their Memory
Raise a glass during Christmas dinner. It doesn’t have to be somber or overly formal. A simple “To Nonno” or “To Mom—who made the best cookies” is a lighthearted way to acknowledge the person you miss.
You can even pour their favorite drink—a little vino rosso, an espresso, or a glass of anisette—and set it at the table as a symbolic gesture.
Share Stories and Memories
Sometimes the best way to honor someone is to talk about them. Encourage family members to share their favorite memories over dinner or while decorating the tree. Laughter is just as important as tears when remembering someone special.
If you have young children who didn’t know the person well, this is a great way to introduce them to their legacy. Stories keep people alive in ways photos never can.
Christmas will always carry a bittersweet edge when someone you love passes away. But by honoring their traditions, you give them a place at the table—and in your heart—for years to come. These rituals don’t erase the sadness, but they do bring comfort, connection, and a sense of continuity that makes the season feel a little brighter.
