What are your favorite holiday traditions?

We took some time over the weekend to ask. Here's a sampling of what we found.

Seven-year old Katie VanArnam of Haddonfield said, “I make gingerbread houses every year with my friends, Sophie and Rosie.” Katie’s mom, Casey said, “A tradition for regulars who come to Crow’s Woods includes decorating a pine tree along one of the paths in the woods.”

Josh and Jack Bolling were helping their dad walk their family dog, Sally. Josh, who will turn 6 on Jan. 1 said, “I leave presents for my mom and dad every year.” Big brother Jack said, “I get to put an old silver star on top of the tree!” Their dad Lance elaborated: “My wife Carla and I moved to Haddonfield in 1998. For our first Christmas here, we bought a sterling silver star tree topper at Macy’s in New York City. Each year after, our tradition is to place the star on top of our tree.”

Jennifer Marcucci of Collingswood was walking her dog Saturday morning in Crows Woods and said, “My parents, Gary and Phyllis Marcucci of Haddon Township, have done the traditional seven fishes every Christmas Eve for the past 25 years. Christmas Eve is the only holiday where the entire family attends. My parents entertain around 40 to 45 aunts, uncles and cousins each year.” 

Lynn Biehn of Haddonfield was walking her dog Isabella Saturday morning and said, “We are of Italian descent and we do the feast of the seven fishes every Christmas Eve. We have around 25 guests each year including family from York, PA.”

Mike Scannell, also of Haddonfield said, “Our family is Irish. We do seven different courses on Christmas Eve. We will go into Philly and get homemade pasta and go to a Polish smoke house in Philly for kielbasa. Everyone contributes one course so each year the food is always different.”

Josh Black and Andrew Whitman of Haddon Heights are former cross-country runners. They stopped running long enough to share their holiday traditions. Andrew said, “I play music and my family sings carols.” Josh added, “My family and friends do a Pollyanna gift exchange each year.”

Dever Levy grew up in Haddonfield and has six siblings. Combined, the siblings now have 24 grandchildren. The growing family has to coordinate each year to accommodate anywhere between 50 and 60 relatives who travel back to Haddonfield to spend the holiday at the grandparents house. “We will celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, whichever works best.”

Matthew Severs of Cherry Hill was busy winterizing the water pipes at Crows Woods Saturday morning. For Matthew, “having a good time with family and friends during Christmas is most important, no matter what we do.” 

Please add your traditions in the comments section below.