Your Favorite Holiday Family Traditions

Author Mike O'Brian

November 20th, 2023 1:41 PM

A family carrying on the tradition of caroling

It’s the holiday weekend, so what are your favorite Holiday family traditions. Is there something you play, you do? That’s what came up this morning on The Mike & Carla Morning Show this morning. You would be amazed at some of the traditions mentioned this morning!

Growing up, a lot of families would get together to play games…board games, football, etc. It’s funny that some families still share in “traditions” around the holidays that most might not. Depending on where you grew up or how you were raised, a lot of these traditions might have just fallen by the way side.

What Are Your Favorite Holiday Family Tradition?

Watching football on Thanksgiving or playing…some families did both. I know for me, we would watch the parades in the morning, football in the afternoon and wrap it wrap it up with the Orange Bowl. They had annual halftime show that was amazing featuring lights! They would turn off the lights in the stadium and on the field, that’s where the magic would happen.

Carla Rea even mentioned that playing football was not something they would doing during the holiday weekend. Maybe a board game here or there, but nothing that would take a long time.

Now, Morty, our executive producer, being from Hawaii said that football was never played, but he does remember one thing. Mannheim Steamrollers! Every year you would hear that playing at the house. Oh, he also mentioned the Hawaiian rolls that everyone loves! Had to make sure there were enough!

Others that called in this morning mentioned movies and/or tv shows. Every year, the family would gather around the tv to watch a special, a movie or something on tv. Back then, movies like “The Wizard of Oz” would only come on once a year around this time. For that reason alone, you had to watch it!

But we understand that families change and so do the times. So, what was it that your family engaged in during the holidays? Enjoy the segment below, and see if something doesn’t come to mind!

Mike O’Brian is the Program Director and Morning Show host on 96.3 KKLZ in Las Vegas, along with Carla Rea. He has been with the Beasley Media Group for almost 23 years. Mike was named one of the “Best Program Directors In America” by Radio Ink magazine. Over the years, “The Mike & Carla Morning Show” have been presented with a number of proclamations for their work in the community and numerous awards. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years, he writes articles on living in Las Vegas, sports, and odd stories happening within the state of Nevada. Mike is the host of the morning show and program director of 96.3 KKLZ/Las Vegas. He has been doing mornings in Las Vegas for the past 38 years. Over the years, he has hosted a numerous amount of community events and has been the P.A. announcer for a number of sports teams in Las Vegas. He has written on living in Las Vegas, the sports teams here, as well as odd & little-known facts about Las Vegas & Nevada.

Turkey Travesty! 5 Easy Ways To Save Money On Your Thanksgiving Menu

The American Thanksgiving feast. For many of us, that phrase conjures up mental images of Normal Rockwell paintings. Above all, it is a time for family to gather. Additionally, it’s a time for many Americans to stuff themselves at the dinner table. However, with grocery store prices at an all time high, many Americans are searching for ways to save money on their Thanksgiving menu.

As a matter of fact, a recent survey from SingleCare.com shows just that. Their press release reveals 69% of Americans are searching for ways to save money on their holiday feast.

Turkey Prices May Be A Bit Lower, But Thanksgiving Dinner Still Costly

With inflation at an all-time high last year, Thanksgiving turkeys were more expensive than ever. Although prices on that juicy bird have come down a bit this year, Thanksgiving dinner will still be more expensive.

In fact, I checked out WellsFargo.com for their annual “Agri-Food Intelligence” report for Thanksgiving 2023. Although turkey prices are less expensive this year, other items on your Thanksgiving menu will cost more. For example, ham prices are up about 5%. In addition, canned pumpkin prices have risen a whopping 30%. Of course, every holiday dinner table has to have a green bean casserole on it. The article by Dr. Michael Swanson, Courtney Buerger Schmidt, and Brad Rubin says the price of green beans is up almost 9% from last year.

Easy Ways To Cut Costs On Your Thanksgiving Menu

At this time, it’s a little too late to advise you to “shop early.” However, if you’re shopping this weekend or next week, you can still use coupons and savings apps. That’s according to an article on TakeChargeAmerica.org. Additionally, they advise cutting back on the number of appetizers. Furthermore, limit the number of beverage choices for your guests. These are two areas where my family goes overboard every year. We love our appetizers and holiday spirits.

Now, scroll down for five more easy ways to save money on this year’s holiday feast. These money-saving tips are courtesy of an article by Jennifer Streaks, edited by Libby Kane. I found it on BusinessInsider.com. Happy Thanksgiving!

1) What's In Your Cupboards And Pantry?
Before you even decide to head on over to the grocery store to shop for your Thanksgiving Day feast, be sure to check to see what’s inside your kitchen cabinets. Just because you traditionally have a green bean casserole on the holiday table doesn’t mean you must every year. You may have other canned or jarred vegetables that you can use as a tasty holiday side dish. Either way, be sure to check what you have on hand so you don’t overbuy at the supermarket.

A dark-haired woman looks on her kitchen shelves at various jars and canned goods. The wooden shelves are stocked with glass jars of dry beans, dry pasta, nuts, and other ingredients.
2) How Many Different Cuts Of Meat Do You Need?
Sure, we all look forward to Thanksgiving dinner to stuff ourselves on turkey and ham. Some families love to add a beef roast. Others like to have a seafood course on the table as well. Is all of that really necessary? Well, maybe this year your holiday table won’t be packed with meat for a change. Maybe it’s time to add some vegetable or quiche options instead. We’re certainly not recommending that your Thanksgiving feast be devoid of meat. Roast that turkey! But, maybe so many meat options aren’t necessary this year.

Egg tart stuffed with asparagus, spinach, chard, cream and cheese, served with white wine. Rustic style.
3) Why Do You Have To Buy All The Food?
It’s always a generous gesture to treat family and friends to a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner. However, why do you have to spend all that cash to treat everyone? Instead, ask those you invite over to bring a dish that they love at their family’s traditional holiday table. Not only will this idea help you cut costs, you may also discover some delicious dishes that you’d like to incorporate into your future Thanksgiving feasts.

A smiling woman bringing food through the front door of a senior citizen’s home in a bluish-green metal covered pot.
4) Purchase A Thanksgiving Meal Kit
According to the BusinessInsider.com article, stores like Walmart, Target, and Trader Joe’s offer full Thanksgiving Day meal kits. Most are priced for budget conscious shoppers. For example, Walmart’s meal kit “includes a 16-pound turkey, chicken stuffing mix, canned turkey gravy, french fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, canned cranberry sauce, and a pack of rolls.” The cost? Just $30 bucks! Not bad.

Different food in paper bag on wooden background.
5) Use Cuts Of Turkey Instead Of The Entire Bird
What is your family’s favorite part of the turkey? The breast? The thighs? Turkey legs? Whichever it is, trying buying them as parts instead of purchasing an entire bird. You may be able to get more of what your family loves instead of trying to find uses for the leftover parts most don’t enjoy.

Top view of two fresh turkey thighs on a wood cutting board with a knife on a white background.