The holidays at Specialty Counseling & Consulting are more than a busy season filled with client care, year-end wrap-ups, and snowy commutes. Behind the scenes, our team is steeped in family holiday traditions, comfort foods, and quirky rituals that make this time of year meaningful, grounding, and often pretty entertaining.
Here’s a peek into the holiday traditions our SCC family looks forward to every year.
Sledding, Lights, and Late-Night Stories
For many on our team, the holidays mean bundling up and heading outdoors. Several employees make it a tradition to go sledding in the mountains or even into a nearby national park with their families. Others prefer to stay cozy but festive, loading into the car with hot chocolate and Christmas music while driving around town to look at lights.
A few families save their storytelling for indoors. Some gather around the fireplace to watch old favorites like “The Cartwrights,” while others read T’was the Night Before Christmas aloud to children of all ages—because no one outgrows it, not really.
Holiday Meals That Matter
Food traditions run deep at SCC. One family swears by chili and cinnamon rolls every Christmas Eve—a pairing that surprises newcomers but delights everyone who tries it. Another has baked ziti with parents on Christmas Eve, while others stick faithfully to Christmas morning breakfast casseroles or French toast casseroles lovingly prepared by kids who have taken over chef duties.
Some traditions honor heritage, like one family’s traditional Sicilian feast: barbecued sausage, focaccia bread, fried cardone, artichoke hearts, and homemade cannoli made from Great Grandma’s recipe. Another family remembers a loved one who converted to Judaism by keeping Christmas dinner kosher and serving lamb instead of ham each year.
Several team members share the joy of making tamales together. One family gathers to make kolaches. Another keeps lasagna night sacred every Christmas Eve because, well… it’s that good.
Movies, Pajamas, and Musical Moments
Some SCC homes simply aren’t celebrating unless Die Hard is playing. Others settle in with Christmas movies by the fire after a long day of sledding.
Matching pajamas on Christmas Day are an absolute must for several families. Another tradition includes opening pajamas on Christmas Eve to wear the next morning—because comfort begins early.
One family takes tradition to a creative level by preparing musical pieces—solos, duets, whatever inspires them—and performing for each other while they enjoy their holiday meal. It’s a shared moment of joy, nerves, pride, and connection.
Gifts, Gags, and Games
Gifts take all shapes in our SCC family. Some swap silly socks or do a white elephant sock exchange. Others give gag gifts to siblings, parents, or unsuspecting in-laws (such as this year’s unicorn nerf gun).
Books and funny socks are annual staples for some families, while another gifts a trip to see a movie together, scheduled for the days just after Christmas. Many families also bring out new board games gifted on Christmas morning and spend the day playing together.
Keeping What Matters Close
Whether it’s a peaceful Midnight Mass, a cozy night reading stories, sledding with kids, cooking meaningful recipes, or staying up late watching favorite films, each tradition has something in common: connection.
At SCC, we know how powerful connection is—whether in therapy, in teams, or around the family table. These traditions reflect who we are not only as clinicians, administrators, and support staff, but as people who value warmth, belonging, and shared joy.
From our SCC family to yours, we wish you a holiday season filled with meaning, laughter, and moments that become memories for years to come.