From My Family to Yours: The Joy of Finding a Home to Grow Traditions In

There’s something about the shift from fall into the holidays that makes home feel extra special. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to fall, and life slows down just enough to make space for the things — and people — that matter most.

For our family, it all starts at the pumpkin patch. The girls running through rows of orange, picking the “perfect” one (usually three or four times), marking the beginning of a season that’s all about simple joys. Soon after, it’s trick-or-treating the neighborhood with cousins, the kind of night that’s equal parts chaos and laughter — cold hands, sticky candy, and memories that last long after the sugar rush fades.

As the air grows colder, our focus turns to the holidays. One of my favorite traditions is the Christmas tree and all that comes with it. We head into the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree. It’s an adventure every year — bundled in layers, searching for “the one,” sledding in the mountain snow, warming up by a fire and then driving home with pine needles everywhere and the smell of fresh fir filling the car. Getting that tree decorated is so magical as we listen to Burl Ives and pick out the perfect mix of ornaments. Once that tree is up, it’s officially Christmas.

We always make time for the much anticipated Selah Lighted Parade, wrapped in blankets, sipping cocoa, and waving as the floats and tractors pass by. It’s the perfect mix of community and nostalgia — small-town magic at its finest.

And finally, our favorite night of the year — our family Christmas Eve party. Every year, the kids gather to sing a carol that calls for Santa’s arrival, and when he walks in with the first gifts of Christmas, their excitement fills the room. It’s the kind of tradition that makes the season feel complete.

These are the moments that make a house feel like home — laughter echoing through the hallways, boots by the door, front porch decorated and hearts full of gratitude.

As a real estate agent, that’s what I love most about what I do: helping families find the space where their own traditions can take root. Because a home isn’t just where you live — it’s where your story unfolds. 

If you’re dreaming of a place where your own family traditions can grow — from pumpkin patch mornings to cozy Christmas nights — I’d love to help you find it. Whether it’s your first home or your forever one, let’s make sure it’s a space that feels like home in every season.

-Megan Willis