Inside Change Often: Unwrapping the Stories of Change Often's Holiday Celebrations

In this edition of Inside Change Often, we look at how our Change Agents celebrate the holidays! 

As the festive season wraps us in its warm embrace, we decided to delve into the cherished traditions that make this time of year truly special. At our Firm, where we place high value on climate and culture, we understand the importance of fostering a sense of community and joy in every season. In this heartwarming exploration, each team member has graciously shared their favorite holiday traditions, offering a glimpse into the unique and joyous ways we celebrate this magical season.  From time-honored rituals to modern twists on classic customs, join us as we unwrap the memories behind Change Often's holiday celebrations. Our shared, and unique, experiences reflect the spirit of togetherness and joy that defines this wonderful time of year. We invite you to have fun reading this blog the same way we have fun with each other all year round, but especially around the holidays.

Rod Brooks, Consulting Sleighmaster

Among the many Christmas traditions I enjoy, I love the food shared during our family gatherings! Often, the recipes are ones that have been handed down from my grandmother, and I love how savoring these delights reminds me of her. Think blueberry gelatin salad with cream cheese topping, homemade pound cake, and those yummy coconut Christmas cookies.

Cyril Jefferson, Festive Visionary and Strategic Elf-in-Chief

One of my favorite holiday traditions involves our family—immediate and extended—coming together on Christmas Eve to sing carols, play games, and enjoy some holiday treats. Our family has been doing this event for nearly 20 years and we always have such a great time! We typically invite some friends over as well, and they immediately acclimate to the laughing and pageantry taking place around them. With Christmas time approaching, I am eagerly looking forward to gathering again for a fun-filled celebration.

Casey Tyndall, Present Delivery Helper

On Christmas night, my family goes to McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town, USA, to see the Christmas lights throughout the town. Afterwards, we stop at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet for a late dinner. We've been doing this every year for as long as I can remember.

Tiffany Boller, Director of Festive Knowledge

Every year my family has game night on Christmas Eve where we sing karaoke songs, play games, decorate gingerbread houses etc. Last year we introduced themed outfits by saying everyone had to wear Christmas lights in some way whether it was printed on your pajamas or you wore a string light necklace. This year we're doing a candy cane theme.

Josh Cameron, Wrapping Wizard for Project Cheer

Almost every Christmas my Mom and I would stay at my grandparents overnight on Christmas Eve. Like a tradition, I would open one present on Christmas Eve just to whet my appetite for the festivities on Christmas Day. Then on Christmas morning, Mom and I would go into the living room in our pajamas and see what "Santa" had left us. We'd eat breakfast, then start opening our presents and wait for a call from my Mom's sister, who'd then bring her kids and grandkids over with all of their presents. All the kids would play with and open more presents as more of my grandparents' kids came over throughout all of Christmas Day.

Corey Byrd, Jingle Bells Associate

Christmas for me is full with food, music, fun! Every Christmas Eve we go to a dinner and then go to church for our Christmas Eve service. After the service, we go to a friend's house for even more food. After leaving their house pretty late, we go home and open presents around midnight. Christmas morning we sleep in some because of the long Christmas Eve we had. Christmas Day we just hang out at the house and have a nice dinner with just the family!

Kayla Quick,  Snowflake Strategist

When my brother and I were younger, our mom used to let us open our Christmas presents on Christmas Eve! My mom worked on Christmas Day, but still wanted us to have our experience; without waiting until mid-day Christmas day when all of our friends were halfway done playing with their new toys. Opening presents on Christmas Eve remained a tradition for my family for a while. Even at 24, we used to ask to open them the night before because my mom is great at gift giving!

As we close the chapters on another remarkable year at Change Often, this exploration of our holiday traditions serves as a heartwarming reflection on the connections and shared experiences that have defined our collective journey. We extend our gratitude to our incredible team members who contribute not only their talents but also their unique stories, making our workplace a tapestry of diverse traditions and joyous moments.

The holiday season is a time to appreciate the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. As we bid farewell to this year, we carry with us the warmth of shared laughter, the comfort of familiar traditions, and the anticipation of new beginnings. May the lessons learned and memories created in 2023 serve as stepping stones for a bright and promising year ahead.

From all of us at Change Often, we wish you a joyous holiday season, a well-deserved break, and a Happy New Year filled with endless possibilities and positive change. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to creating more memories together in the coming year!