Holidays Woven with Simple Joys

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey

Holidays are less about extravagance and more about presence. They are moments where life slows just enough for people to gather, reflect, and share. In Vietnam today, across generations, holidays take on many shades of meaning—each reflecting the rhythms of age and experience.

For the young, holidays are often about exploration and energy. They may spend time with friends, travel to new places, or try the latest experiences that social media raves about. For them, holidays are a chance to break away from routine, to capture moments that sparkle with novelty, and to collect stories that will be told for years to come.

For those in midlife, with some financial stability, holidays strike a balance between tradition and leisure. It is the quiet joy of preparing offerings for ancestors, hosting meals where family gathers, or perhaps organizing a short trip—not for luxury, but for rest. For many, giving also becomes part of the celebration: sharing gifts, supporting causes, or treating loved ones with gestures of care. The heart of these holidays is presence, connection, and gratitude.

For the elderly, holidays often carry the deepest layers of tradition. They may be less about travel and more about continuity—guiding children and grandchildren through rituals, telling stories of past generations, and finding joy in the simple fact of being surrounded by family. A shared meal, the laughter of grandchildren, or the aroma of familiar dishes may be all they need for a complete celebration.

Together, these different rhythms create a shared symphony. Holidays are not defined by the size of the feast or the distance traveled, but by the collective warmth of time spent together.

On a personal note, holidays often become a time to pause and recharge. Sometimes it is as simple as gathering my family for a meal where laughter flows more freely than the dishes themselves. Other times, it is taking a short trip, enjoying a quiet coffee by the sea, or walking slowly through a new place, letting the air feel different for a while. These small rituals, though modest, hold immense meaning—they turn each holiday into a gentle reminder that life’s true luxury is time well spent with those who matter most.