From family traditions to new rituals, our different customs at FRAMA come together with stories behind every gesture, and meaning behind every setting at the table. In returning to traditions from home, we return to what matters most this time of year.

Over the holiday season, at FRAMA we return to the customs that mean the most: whether rituals from growing up, or self-made traditions with chosen family. Our team comes from all over the world, and this diversity of tradition and holiday meaning led us to the interviews you see here — brought together, these traditions bring to light a patchwork of influences and memories. And as traditions are meant to be shared, these stories are our invitation to join us in this spirit. At this time of year, we give new meaning to everyday objects, connecting stories and references to longtime possessions, and making room for new customs alike.

“There is a traditional Ukrainian braided bread that I try to make every Christmas. It’s a symbol of unity, and a beautiful gesture to set the table with.”

– Paulina Melinauskaite

“One holiday tradition that’s special to my family is Tombola! It’s a sort of bingo game that’s only played during the Christmas period.”

– Alessandro Mander

“A few years ago, my boyfriend joined me for Christmas with my family in Germany, and taught me how to play chess. We got really hooked and ended up playing multiple games with my family on Christmas Eve. Now, it’s become a tradition to have a little chess tournament every year after dinner.”

– Alina Becker

“My holiday tradition is a bit out of the ordinary: we watch Crocodile Dundee movies during the holiday season because they’re my father's favorite. We also usually have a bonfire with neighbors from my village, where everyone brings cookies from home and gathers together.”

– Freya Horstmann

“When I was a teenager I began a new tradition for myself: now right before New Year's, I send myself an email scheduled to arrive the following year. In the email I tell my future self all about how the past year has been and what I hope for in the next.”

– Carla Altés

“For my family, it’s not a big thing if you forget a birthday or don’t call for two months, but you would never skip dinner on December 24th. My mum’s speech at the end of the dinner might be my favorite part — she stands up with a long glass of Cava, and makes everyone quiet down."

– Anna Duran

“When we exchange gifts at home in France, we always do a big dinner with one person in charge and a different theme every year. This is partly because my mother’s birthday is Christmas Eve, so at a certain point the kids took over the kitchen to encourage her to really take the day off.”

– Mouris Babio

"My grandparents live a two-hour drive from my parents, so when I was a kid the drive down to see them was always the start of Christmas celebrations. We would wear Santa hats and sing Driving Home for Christmas at the top of our lungs"

– Jasmin Piercy

“On Christmas Eve, my family makes dinner together while we catch up on the year that’s just passed. While we wait for the meal to be ready, we’ve started playing a dice game for presents that I learned here in Denmark called ‘Pakkeleg.’”

– Vivi Toft

From games and table settings to traditions in the kitchen and time taken just for yourself, the traditions among us say so much about where we come from and what matters most to us — the beauty of this time of year being time taken to consider our own answers to those questions. While these interviews among the team who we spend our days with revealed an impressive diversity of tradition — no two holidays are alike — the essentials come to the fore as prioritizing time slowed down to make room for reflection, and time spent together. Wishing you the same from team FRAMA, wherever your tradition finds you this year.

Video by Paw Gissel, Edit by Nico Denysiuk