The holidays are often about cherished traditions…those little things we do year after year that give us a sense of connection, belonging, and nostalgia. But sometimes it’s the unexpected moments that turn into the most meaningful traditions. For me, one of my favorite holiday memories didn’t come from a carefully planned event or a traditional family gathering. No, it all started with an empty Pepsi box, an old bowling ball, and a bit of mischievous fun.
The Story Behind the Tradition
When my brother and I were young, we spent a lot of time with our mom’s best friend’s family. It was the kind of friendship that felt like family…game nights, dinners, church outings, and yes, Christmas parties. As teenagers, we decided to go beyond the usual holiday routine and get each other gifts that were a bit more meaningful.
But I, being the prankster of the group, couldn’t resist adding my own spin to the gift-giving tradition.
I found an old bowling ball at our church (don’t ask why it was there), and I decided it would be the perfect “gift” for one of the girls. I packed the bowling ball in a flimsy 30-pack of Pepsi box, crammed it with crinkled paper, and tucked a small silver necklace into a corner of the box. I wrapped it up carefully but made sure to tell her not to shake it too much, or she might “hurt” the precious gift inside. I may have also hinted that there were “air holes” so it could “breathe”. At that point, she was expecting something to jump out at her! The Pepsi box, with its weighty cargo, had the perfect “wobbly” feel. It was definitely giving off vibes that it contained something heavy and alive…I should note that she wasn’t too fond of animals of any kind.
When she opened the box and saw the bowling ball, the look on her face was priceless.
“A bowling ball?” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of confusion and disappointment. But after a few seconds of disbelief, she found the necklace hidden in the box, and we all had a good laugh. That was it…or so I thought.
From Gag to Tradition
But the real magic happened the following Christmas. The bowling ball…now a slightly more iconic piece of our group’s holiday history…was mysteriously passed on to someone else. The year after that, the tradition grew, with the addition of a bowling pin. Each year, the bowling ball and pins made the rounds, moving from one friend to another, and sometimes even adding a new twist to the gag. If someone got married, guess how they were welcomed to our Christmas… If a close friend joined the group, you know how they were welcomed, as well. And every time someone opened it, there was laughter, confusion, and a little bit of suspense.
What started as a small prank had blossomed into a yearly tradition that lasted for several years. And here’s the beauty of it: we didn’t plan it. It wasn’t some grand gesture or an elaborate idea that we put together months in advance. It was spontaneous, a simple act of fun, and it stuck. We never talked about the tradition, yet year after year, the bowling ball (and later, the pins) found its way back into our hands. It became a symbol of our friendship, our inside jokes, and our shared history.
Why Traditions Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Meaningful
The story of the bowling ball teaches me something about tradition: you don’t have to have a grand plan to start something meaningful. Sometimes, the most memorable traditions come from the small, unexpected moments. It was never about the gift itself…it was about the laughter, the surprise, and the shared experiences. The best traditions are often those that evolve naturally, built on the connection and fun you have with the people you love.
So, if you’re thinking about starting a new holiday tradition with your family or friends, don’t stress about making it perfect. Don’t worry about whether it’s something everyone will love at first. Just create something that’s fun, spontaneous, and meaningful to you. Whether it’s a gag gift like a bowling ball or something entirely different, you may be surprised by what sticks.
Final Thought
Traditions can evolve in the most unexpected ways, and sometimes, the ones that start off as simple jokes become the most cherished. So, take a step outside the usual holiday cliches and create a tradition that feels real, personal, and a little bit out of the ordinary. You might just end up with something you’ll all look forward to every year. And who knows? Maybe a bowling ball and a bowling pin will be in your future, too.
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