The holidays have come and gone, taking traditions with them. My family has done traditions such as driving around to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve, heading up to Hershey Park after Thanksgiving and roasting marshmallows by the fireplace. While most families have traditions around the holidays, it turns out there's so many other traditions to look forward to that don't have to end once the New Year's parades do.

Favorite foods never go out of style. When the eggnog is all gone and hot chocolate has become the norm, there's nothing like the tradition of coming home to a nice slow cooked meal. On a cold winter night, my mother would make beef stew and I would come home from work to the house smelling amazing. It was always something to look forward too. I plan on carrying that tradition in my own house, although North Carolina doesn't get quite as cold as Pennsylvania.

Seeing family and old friends isn't reserved just for the holidays. My cousin and I don't get to see each other very often; however, we love the tradition of going down to the shore together. Setting a date for a visit with someone you don't see that much is a great way to make the winter go faster and it's something to look forward to.

I love decorating. Putting my personal touch on my home is something I've really enjoyed these last few months. Therefore, I've created a new tradition for myself by putting up small decorations at the start of every month. When it was October I put up light up pumpkins and placemats that had ghosts on it. November, there was a turkey on my front door. This tradition has made me look forward to every month instead of counting the months until summer comes back.

My family has always had traditions. It's just something we've always done. Although most of our traditions are over until next year, there are still little things that make me enjoy every month, not just the two leading up to the New Year. They've created unforgettable memories that I've been able to cherish. Traditions are important to me and I plan on keeping my family's traditions and adding new ones when I have my own family.