Time-honored traditions are held close to our hearts. When they are great ones, they aren’t stopped by a roadblock. Instead, we adapt to work with the times and foster new memories that carry on for years to come.
My family has a tradition of assembling a holiday gingerbread house. What started in the early 2000s with a Wilton “Build it Yourself” gingerbread-house kit, led to years of innovation through fabrication, baking, mixing, and the occasional use of some power tools.
![](https://www.lywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Blog_123021_Years-past-Gingerbread.jpg)
2019, 2018, & 2017 Johann Family gingerbread houses
In a typical year, my dad is the architect, baker, and contractor. After mulling over inspirations typically mentioned by my mom, he cooks up a design that tops those from previous years. The “kids” then come home for a weekend to take on our roles as decorators. Some of us go all-in, getting elbows deep into icing and peppermint, while others become critics offering words of improvement or approval. The result is a festive baked house showcasing a little bit of everyone’s handiwork or suggestions. Each family member plays a part in the tradition and together we enjoy one another’s company while nurturing some creative energy.
![](https://www.lywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Blog_123020_Working-on-Gingerbread-copy.jpg)
Working on gingerbread houses over Zoom
We couldn’t let this year go by without our annual tradition. This year, each household designed and baked its own gingerbread house. Over a two-and-a-half-hour Zoom call on a chilly Saturday morning, we decorated and collaborated, discussing everyone’s creations. I now am more appreciative of each person’s distinct skills and believe this pivoted tradition shows we can each expand our gingerbread-making repertoire and still connect while apart.
![](https://www.lywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Blog_123020_Results-of-gingerbread-houses.jpg)
2020 completed gingerbread houses
Collaborating as a team at the Woodson Art Museum is much like building a gingerbread house with my family. Colleagues work together, sharing stories of the past while working toward the future. At the almost five-month point in my tenure, I continue to learn more about time-honored traditions here as I cultivate my role on the team.
The traditions at the Woodson are great ones that will continue as we persevere and creatively adapt through these changing and challenging times.
I look forward to welcoming the new year at the Museum as well as to learning more about the traditions Woodson Wanderings’ readers hold dear.