In the spirit of the season, we asked our Crosworks career coaching team to reflect on their favorite holiday tradition/s. It’s a fun way for us to recognize the divergent interests, perspectives and personalities of our professional coaches.
Shelly Stotzer, CEO and Leadership Coach – Life is so busy. For Christmas, I love my family’s overall commitment to completely unplugging, connecting with one another and making it the most low-key day of the year. We usually start with a delicious breakfast, stay in our pajamas all day, leisurely share gifts, take naps, play games and order Chinese carryout for dinner. No fuss with a lot of space to recharge!
Deb Mitchell, Leadership and Career Strategist – My favorite holiday memory from childhood is lying in my bed on Christmas morning, waiting for my grandparents to arrive from down the street. Then, my two sisters and I would get the “go” signal to run from our room to the presents under the tree. Even today, thinking of that scenario brings back that childhood feeling of anticipation. As an adult, I treasure the memory of those holidays when my grandmothers, my parents, my husband’s parents, and favorite aunts, uncles and cousins were with us for Christmas dinner. I am so grateful that my son experienced several Christmases with that large family group while they were all still here!
Eden Sulzer, Leadership and Career Strategist – My family celebrates Hanukkah, which is mostly centered around food and fun, but my favorite part is lighting the menorah each of the eight (crazy) nights. (If you’ve heard Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song, you’ll get the crazy nights part.). The lighting ritual is simple and hasn’t changed since I was a small child . . . we light the candles, say a prayer, sing a few songs, and then open small gifts. I love to see the beautifully lit menorah, which symbolizes light and enlightenment in the world. (Oh, and potato pancakes, also known as latkes, are a traditional and scrumptious Hanukkah treat.)
Neha Mandhani, Leadership and Career Strategist – Each December, I like to go with my kids to our local downtown for an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt. There’s a great Christmas vibe with music all around and the kids have fun discovering the elf in various stores and getting a stamp. I easily get my desired steps in that day and it’s a lovely afternoon to soak in the holiday spirit.
Rada Kuperschmidt, Leadership and Career Strategist – My favorite part of the holiday season is being around family and especially my nieces/nephews whom I don’t see often. They tend to convince me to wear silly outfits and to take memorable photos! And the lights . . . I love holiday lights, so driving around neighborhoods or going to light shows is another favorite tradition!
Rhonda Fekete, Leadership and Career Strategist – Christmas Eve is very special to me. I love spending it with my two sons, my daughters-in-law, my five grandchildren, some of their significant others and my 91-year-old father.
Robin Howard, Leadership and Career Strategist – I have a few favorite traditions. The first is participating in the Franklin County Children’s Services Holiday Wish List program. Each year, we adopt kids from the list and shop for their toys. On donation day, we make a full outing of it—we have lunch, drop off the gifts and then go to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert. On the way home, we grab hot chocolate and drive around to see all the Christmas lights, leaving holiday thank-you cards in the mailboxes of our favorite displays. The second tradition is a special Christmas Day family photo with all of us in matching pajamas—pets included! It’s so much fun to look back at the pictures over the years and see how much has changed.
Michelle Rupp, Coaching Experience Manager – My favorite holiday tradition is baking cookies. I love to bake in general, but there is something special about baking during the holidays. There are certain cookies that I only make once a year and sharing those recipes with family and friends is always so much fun for me. Plus, I’m also my own taste-tester, so it’s a win-win.