Taking Care of Business Means Taking Time Off: Our Holiday Traditions

The Jolliest Bunch of Social Storytellers This Side of the Nuthouse

If the Griswolds taught us anything it’s that the holidays are equal parts chaos, tradition, and heart. At Misty Saves the Day, we spend our days showing up for others—saving the day in big ways and small ones. But this time of year, we’re reminded that sometimes saving the day starts with taking a day (or two) off.

So consider this our twinkly, slightly unhinged, very festive love letter to holiday traditions—the ones that ground us, crack us up, and remind us why we do what we do. Because while we may be the jolliest bunch of social storytellers by day… by night, we’re all basically the Griswolds with better Wi-Fi.

Kelley: Full Griswold, the tradition that inspired this entire blog post

Mine is less a tradition and more a lifestyle choice. I’m part of a big, blended family, and we are obsessed with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We can quote it line for line. My mom’s house is basically a scavenger hunt of Clark and Cousin Eddie references—some subtle, some absolutely not.

One year, without telling anyone who we picked, we each chose a character from the movie and did a full reveal on Christmas night. The commitment. The confidence. The accuracy. I think it’s safe to say… we nailed it.

Misty: Fireplace, Timer, Chaos

Every Christmas Eve, Chris and I take a photo in front of the fireplace with all our animals. There’s a timer. There’s scrambling. There’s usually at least one creature looking in the wrong direction. It’s sheer chaos and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’ve been doing this since before we had kids, and now the photos feel like a flipbook of our life evolving… with fur. Lots of fur.

Krysten: The Fort That Time Forgot

I’ve never really been in the same place for Christmas—like, ever—so traditions have been tricky. But last year, Dan and I stayed home and built a full-on living room fort. We watched Christmas movies, made cookies, slept in the fort, and woke up incredibly sore.

Zero regrets. Would absolutely do it again (with more pillows).

Phoebe: Festive or Bust

On Christmas morning, before any presents are opened, we suit up in very festive attire and take a family photo in front of the tree. My husband and I have been doing this for about 11 years, and now our kid is in on it too.

Looking back at the photos is half the fun—proof that while styles change, the joy (and commitment to festivity) does not.

Britney: All the Lights, All the Time

Last year was our first Christmas in Wilmington, and we are officially hooked on anything involving lights. Downtown strolls, neighborhood walks, drone shows—we’re in.

If it sparkles, we’re there. If it blinks, we’re stopping to admire it.

David: The Organized Magic Maker

Our holiday season is… structured.

1. We go to the Norfolk Botanical Garden for the lights.

2. We have a photo ornament tree that goes all the way back to when Jodi and I met in 6th grade in the late ’90s. It is arranged chronologically—oldest at the top, newest at the bottom. Obviously.

3. We decorate every Veteran’s Day weekend, with the cats “helping.”

4. And yes, I make a Spreadsheet of Fun to keep all holiday activities organized.

Clark Griswold would be proud.

Jessica: The Giving House

There’s a house in Chesapeake that goes all out for Christmas—and they let people walk around the property. There’s a donation box (usually for an animal shelter), and it’s completely free.

Sometimes we go more than once during the season, because the joy in my children’s eyes and the generosity of the home owners are worth revisiting.

Anna: Nutcrackers & Northern WV

Every year we travel to Northern West Virginia for two weeks to be with family. Along with cookies, Christmas movies, and matching pajamas, we take the kids to the Nutcracker Village. The village is blocks of life-sized nutcrackers, local shopping, hot chocolate, coffee, and popcorn.

It’s festive in the best, memory-making way.

Maddi: Making New Traditions

My family is spread all over the country, so traditions weren’t really a thing growing up. But now, my roommate and I take her cat, Guppy, to see the Virginia Beach lights at the oceanfront.

Is Guppy confused? Probably. Is it adorable? Absolutely. We’re building traditions one cat adventure at a time.

Katherine: Classic Comfort Christmas

Every Christmas Eve, we head to North Carolina to see my family—dinner, presents, and then a low-key brunch on Christmas Day before heading back to Virginia.

Growing up, A Christmas Story was always on in the background during the 24-hour marathon. My brother and I still take a photo in front of the TV while it’s playing. Some traditions are silly. Some are sacred. This one’s both.

The Real Gift

What all these traditions have in common isn’t perfection, it’s presence. It’s taking a pause. It’s choosing joy, connection, and a little bit of delightful chaos.

So from all of us at Misty Saves the Day—the jolliest bunch of social storytellers this side of the nuthouse—we hope you find time this season to step away, lean into what makes you laugh, and make a memory or two worth repeating.

And if all else fails… just remember: This is what the holidays are all about; being together.