Christmas traditions

A favorite Christmas ritual of my family is the English tradition of holiday poppers, also called “Christmas crackers.” These simple place-setting adornments make mealtimes more festive and add an element of extra conviviality and childlike…

While flipping through a gift guide in a popular newspaper, I couldn’t help laughing. Presented as impressive gifts for family members, the list was a slew of extravagant gadgets and accessories. I thought to myself that even if I could buy…