House lawmakers share their cherished holiday traditions, highlighting the importance of family, faith, and community during this festive season.
As December draws to a close, many people across the United States embrace the holiday spirit, and Capitol Hill is no exception. With lawmakers returning to their home districts to celebrate, the halls of Congress have become quiet. However, the traditions they hold dear are very much alive.
For some members of Congress, like Representatives Eric Burlison and Byron Donalds, the holidays are a time for cherished family traditions. Donalds, a Republican from Missouri, shared his family’s Christmas Eve ritual, which includes Spanish bean soup and Cuban sandwiches. “On Christmas Day, we just spend time together, and Christmas night will be filled with basketball, football, and maybe a fire,” he explained.
Burlison also highlighted a unique family tradition: a Christmas scavenger hunt organized by his mother for her grandchildren. “It’s special,” he said, adding that they also enjoy playing Christmas bingo for their White Elephant gift exchange. “It gets pretty competitive,” he noted with a smile. “One of the funny things that happens every year is my brother will steal something from the house and then throw it in as one of the gifts. You’ll end up opening it and realize, ‘Oh, we have a vase just like this. Oh, wait, that’s our vase!’ It’s so funny. He does it all the time.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, expressed his fondness for the holiday season, particularly the joy of opening presents with his children and enjoying Cajun-fried turkey. This culinary tradition adds a unique flavor to his family’s celebrations.
Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, emphasized the importance of faith during the holidays. “The holidays always begin with attending Christmas Mass and thanking God for the miracle of the birth of Christ,” he said. Cuellar values the time spent at home with family, gathering around the table for home-cooked meals and maintaining traditions that foster togetherness.
Meanwhile, Representative Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, enjoys celebrating the end-of-year holidays with her chosen family of friends and neighbors. Her traditions include baking and sharing Christmas cookies, as well as hosting holiday dinners with her college roommates and poker group.
Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, also cherishes the holiday season as a time for family. He shared that Hanukkah and the broader holiday period are opportunities to celebrate with loved ones. “Whether that’s lighting the menorah with my kids, donating toys at local toy drives, or joining our community for tree and menorah lightings, the holidays are special for me,” he said.
As lawmakers reflect on their holiday traditions, it is clear that family, faith, and community play pivotal roles in their celebrations. These cherished customs not only bring joy but also strengthen the bonds that unite them with their loved ones during this festive season.
According to Fox News Digital, these personal stories from Capitol Hill illustrate the diverse ways in which lawmakers celebrate the holidays, reminding us all of the importance of connection and tradition during this time of year.