Holidays are an exciting part of many cultures around the world but they all have one thing in common which is to gather families and friends at heart to create memories. Winter holidays can also be the most stressful time of the year—especially for women. The pressure of gift giving, cooking, religion and reflecting can be overwhelming. As we are in the midst of the holiday season, we wanted to take the time to honor a group of diverse women in our community. Let’s discover how they like to celebrate the holidays, their own personal traditions, how the COVID pandemic changed things in 2020, and what’s on their holiday wish list!

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

I celebrate the holidays with family and love. With new and old traditions—as my family expands. I love that there is always a sense of magic during the holidays and moments to slow down.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

2020 has been rough, as it has been for many. As an actor 100% of my work was shut down quickly, and the pain and loss I felt along with my community was difficult. However, I have learned to slow down. To appreciate the moments I have for myself—to breathe, do yoga, go on hikes, make yummy food and embark on a new career teaching preschool!

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

Candles and plants! Local handmade goodies. There are so many great local businesses to support this holiday season and year-round! Fleet Wood has always been my favorite for gifts, as well as Rare Device (the best cards in town for any occasion)!

What does feminism mean to you?

Feminism is giving folx agency across all spectrums. All women are worthy of being uplifted and celebrated. It is important for white women to understand how their feminism can exclude BIPOC women and take action to listen and give credit to the Black, brown and indigenous voices in the community!

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

We celebrate traditional Christmas Day with a tree and stockings and presents and a big dinner in the afternoon. Every Christmas Eve we order pizza and read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud. This tradition dates back to 1984 when my mother (very pregnant with my younger sister) sent my dad out in a blizzard in Indiana to bring back her ultimate craving—pepperoni pizza. This is only my second Christmas with a child, so there are lots of Christmas traditions yet to be born for our little family.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

My toddler son loves playing in dirt and we live next to Golden Gate Park. I have spent more time crawling through the dirt of that park than anyone can imagine. I love that this was the 150th anniversary of the park. At first I was hearing a lot of “oh bummer, there were all these events planned for the park’s anniversary.” But I’m telling you—with COVID, the park has never seen so much action. Without my son, and COVID, I’m not sure I would have explored so much of it. We go every day, and there is always something new. My greatest takeaway has been getting back in touch with nature. Nature always soothes.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

I’m keeping it simple this year—my partner and I are exchanging stockings with a $150 limit. (I did request a subscription to The Paris Review, but otherwise he’s on his own.) I always donate this time of year to the National Vulvodynia Association—women’s health issues are so underfunded and this one is near and dear to my heart.

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

Having a Korean American background, my family and I like to keep the holidays somewhat traditional to the American standards, but we also like to mix a bit of the Korean culture in there as well. We usually go with whatever our mood is that year. For example, on Thanksgiving we might make a turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy and all the yummy sides. But, we will also make sure there are some Korean side dishes as well, like kimchi or a traditional Korean soup (yum)! But, to be honest we kind of make our own rules for the holidays at this point, and I love it that way.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

Greatest takeaways are: don't take good health for granted, quality over quantity with friends/friendships, family is everything, pets are a lot of work but so worth it, they are pretty darn cool if ya ask me.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

Holiday wish list: for the first time, no physical objects this year, but to be able to travel like we used to pre-COVID. Once we are able to, a lot of my support will be going to airlines and hotel stays, haha!

As for supporting businesses/organization this holiday season, I've been buying more of my Christmas gifts for others from smaller vendors or businesses. I just bought the cutest personalized dolls for my nieces on Etsy.

What does feminism mean to you?

Feminism to me means that us females have a voice in this world, that we are heard and listened to. I truly believe the female energy is so powerful. It should not be taken lightly!

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

I enjoy the simple things, baking with family and friends and delivering our treats to friends and family. Driving through neighborhoods and looking at Christmas lights. Enjoying a nice fire and getting to bed early! Being beyond grateful for what I have! And my peloton!

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

Milk frothed and ear pods!

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

Etsy! I have a new-found appreciation for people trying to build their hustle!

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

Every year I fly back to Lebanon to be with my family, where we gather and eat my teta's delicious food. This year due to Covid, I have no plans. Maybe a friend's family will adopt.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

When we slow down, we are able to see the injustice in the world, to feel the pain in our bodies, and access the love in our hearts. And this year forced us to slow down.

On a personal level, this year propelled me into proper self-care, I finally took it seriously. I also became more acquainted with solitude, and it is not as bad as I imagined.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

I am already ordering from a woman-owned, made-to-order sustainable company Katla, sweatshirts for all my friends. I am also getting presents from Native American owned design studio, Trickster Company.

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

I am a Jewish mom of 4 and we celebrate Hanukkah. I also have a few of my own special traditions to make the holidays special for my children. A lot of people around us celebrate Christmas and so it’s challenging to navigate keeping our traditions alive, and making sure my children don’t feel left out. We are lucky to have a community around us that makes my kids feel special for having different traditions and includes us in their traditions.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

2020 was ultimately good for me because I always felt like I was struggling to find time to connect with my kids between school, activities and friends. I thought about homeschooling, but they were thriving in school and I knew I couldn’t do it well full time, so I left well enough alone. I am so grateful to have had this year where we didn’t have obligations outside of our house. I got to dive into their education and had time to focus on each of them. I also realized that I love the chaos of our life, but I can’t function without quiet time alone, free of being needed.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

I don’t love getting gifts, so my list is very short, but I’m really excited to have received a membership to a local yoga studio owned by a childhood friend.

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

I have never really celebrated the holidays, but I love a good stay at home and watch The Grinch and Elf all day tradition with plenty of eggnog with my partner or family.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

How very important and vital investment in your mental health and your community is.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

My holiday wish list is to be able to have a COVID vaccine in near sight (I want to see my sister and travel)! One organization I support is local REP CO (Represent Collaborative)—an organization rooted in activism and amplifying Black lives through storytelling!

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

As a Filipino American, I always thought we were considered a broken family because every other Filipino gathering I saw from other friends also included first, second, and third cousins, one whole bunch of people all congregated together creating a messy stack of shoes in the front entrance. The kids would be stuffed up in one room while the adults did their thing. Growing up, we always celebrated with different families the week of Christmas, along with additional guests who would come. In the church (Christian United Methodist), this is what really got me into the Christmas spirit. This is where my love for music and theater came along when we made classical musical parodies incorporating the birth of Jesus. I never really understood or carried the idea of the church with me everywhere I went, but the church was what got me into music when they held their Christmas specials. Now as an adult, having the immediate family together to have dinner is all it's about. We don't do anything flashy, no crazy gift exchange, no specific traditions we carry. I don't like getting gifts unless it's something I didn't know I wanted until receiving and I treat every day like Christmas because I'm always giving. I never saw the point in gifting something unless you know it's something they love or wouldn't purchase themselves. Other than that, I'm always gifting things to my friends and family throughout the year.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

Let go of social expectations. Some things come to people earlier in life and some things come when it's time (relationships, money, careers, opportunities, experiences). I love color and I'm not a minimalist. Wear whatever the hell you want for whatever occasion. Realizing how privileged I really am.

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

Givenchy Antigona bag! In all seriousness though, I've been including more in independent/small brands that have been such great gifts to give since they are intimate and quirky! Below are some brands I've admired: Black Sheep Made, The_nailbaby, Moran Candles.

How do you celebrate the holidays (cultural, spiritual, family traditions)?

I celebrate the holidays several ways. With family, combining both American and Vietnamese/Chinese food and traditions. If it’s Vietnamese Tet (Chinese New Year), then we have traditional treats and food meant for New Year, like Moon Cake. And everyone celebrates, fireworks, dragon dancing, and the kids wish the adults wealth, health, success and happiness, then the adults give the kids money in red envelopes. I also celebrate with friends the American way and enjoy those traditions.

What are your greatest takeaways of 2020?

Despite the challenges of 2020, it is by far the greatest year for me because I got to spend more time with my little girl and watch her grow. I was always on the go for most of my life, but I finally got to pause and work on myself and reflect. Also, I finally got to explore more of our beautiful country that we call the United States of America. 2020 is the reset year that we all needed!

What's on your holiday wish list and which businesses/organizations are you supporting through them?

My Holiday Wish List is more sound bath music instruments like crystal bowls, gongs, tuning forks, etc. Also, more traveling. I like to support Cancer Society and the fight against child trafficking and domestic abuse. I always find ways to help the homeless during the holidays as it can be toughest on them.

Holiday Magic, Diversity & Women

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