When the weather gets cold and December rolls around, there are many different holidays that we celebrate. I celebrate Christmas and let me just say, when it comes to Christmas, stick to traditions. Although trying something new can once in a while turn out great, and can even turn into a new tradition, it is not a regular occurrence.

When it is time to have Christmas or Christmas Eve dinner, do not go for the elaborate cooked duck, roasted pheasant, or pickled herring. A ham or turkey would work fine, heck! Even pizza would be good! Make something you know you will all enjoy, do not make the holiday the time for experimentation.

The same attitude goes for music and movies. The new Disney Channel Christmas-ified adaption of one of their kid shows isn’t family friendly like you are led to believe. The classics, the ones that are uplifting, teach a lesson, and just make you happy to watch such as Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas. These are the kinds of movies that you should be watching. The only exception to the rule is actual Disney movies such as The Polar Express. When it comes to music, the oldies are the goodies. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby is a personal favorite. This rule has an exception as well because you cannot go wrong with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas.”

And I know we all have those things we do every year around Christmas to which we look forward whether it is a new ornament when you decorate the tree, baking cookies with your mom, opening one present on Christmas Eve, waking up at 6am on Christmas morning, writing to Santa Claus, or going caroling with your church.

So this holiday season, when something new comes along, do not just jump off oldies wagon. Stick to your traditions because they have been proven to work, and to make you happy.