The Holidays with Team Destira

‘Tis the season for traditions! As a family-run company, family is #1 at Destira. With Family First as a core value, we make sure to prioritize our families each day. This year, we asked Team Destira about some of their favorite holiday memories and traditions they have with their families. Check out what they say below! 

• The holiday season is full of making memories with our family and friends. What is your favorite tradition that you have with them?

• Cutting down the tree with the kids! We go to the same tree lot every year – it’s a full day of lunch, tree cutting, and then hot chocolate afterward! - Jodi L., - CEO
• Every Christmas I make cinnamon rolls from scratch. Not the simple ones- the kind of recipe that takes two days and is a total labor of love. There’s nothing like that first warm bite on Christmas morning and seeing the delight on my kids' faces to make the effort worth it. - Myriah Z., Senior Director of Design and Development
• Hotelidays! We get dressed up and go to hotel bars on Christmas Eve every year. - Krystal W., Director of Marketing and Consumer Success
• For the last 11+ years, we have done a tradition every Christmas Eve night called Hotelidays, where myself and a random group of friends (whoever is available and in town that year) get super dressed up and have cocktails at the hotel bars downtown. This started when we moved to Portland and none of us had family here, so now it’s something I look forward to and the group grows every year! My tradition for Christmas day is that my fiance and I always cook Italian Christmas dinner and I make my famous baked ziti. - Braylee O., Director of Sales
• Opening 1 gift on Christmas Eve and wearing cute/festive pajamas on Christmas day to hang out at home. - Emily B., Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics
• Ever since I had children, my husband created a new tradition with them. Every Christmas Eve we drive down the neighborhoods with LOTS OF LIGHTS, walk around and get hot cocoa, and let my girls enjoy the light festivities.  That has been going on for 20 years. Now in Florida, we also do my mother-in-law’s tradition. Every Christmas morning – we have quail and all the fixins wearing “family” matching PJS and open gifts as one big combined family. - Imee L., Assistant Print and Pattern Graphic Designer
• We pick a movie from the 80’s to watch one night over the holiday. - Inga O., Sales Operations Assistant
• Every year after Thanksgiving, my sister, our partners, and I go to my parent’s house to decorate for Christmas. We have dinner, wine and sing to Christmas music with the Netflix Fireplace playing on the TV. - Taylor C., Merchandise Planning and E-Commerce Manager
• We kick off the holidays early each year by dressing in our finest holiday wear and going to a fancy lunch at the oldest restaurant in New Orleans. It is always a great day filled with plenty of family, friends, and fun. It is also one of the most popular days to go out to lunch in the city, so we also run into many friends we know throughout the day. - Maddie H., Social Media and Communications Manager

• What is your favorite holiday game to play with your family? (White elephant, minute to win it games, etc.)

• Instagram brought so many holiday games last year! Our favorite was the saran-wrapped gift ball, where you pass it around and unravel and keep what’s in your hands while the person next to you has to roll a double with dice. When they hit the double, you pass it. Everyone loved it! - Jodi L., CEO
• I love playing Yahtzee around Christmas time, it’s not a holiday game, but it’s the only time I can get everyone to play! - Krystal W., Director of Marketing and Consumer Success
• I don’t usually get to spend Christmas with my family since they are in Arizona, but last New Year’s Eve, my friends and I did a wig-themed white elephant. Everyone had to bring a new wig and pick from the presents like a traditional white elephant. It was SO funny. - Braylee O., Director of Sales
• Popping party crackers at the dinner table (I think this is more of a British/UK tradition) https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/twas-crackers/. - Emily B., Director of Digital Marketing and Analytics
• We LOVE SKIT SKAT, and it can get super competitive. We also do a family BINGO game with great prizes. - Imee L., Assistant Print and Pattern Graphic Designer
• Dutch Blitz, Sushi Go, and Farkle! - Inga O., Sales Operations Assistant

• The holiday season is also about giving. Are there any toy drives, charities, events, etc. that you participate in that give back to your community? Would you like to share the organization with the Destira community to help spread awareness of ways we can give back in our own communities?

• Our family partners with “Parenting with Intent” – it’s a non profit that works with youth and families involved with the Department of Human Resources and Child Welfare. We always shop for a family each season. - Jodi L., CEO
• I’m O+ (the best donor blood) so I make a point to go give blood around Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. It’s a nice way to give back that costs you nothing but can have a massive impact on someone’s life. - Myriah Z., Senior Director of Design and Development
• The Giving Trees! During the holiday season, The Giving Trees deliver free, natural Christmas trees - plus stands, lights, ornaments, and decorations - to individuals and families who need extra care and support. You can learn more here > https://www.gtrees.org/. - Krystal W., Director of Marketing and Consumer Success
• I have always done the SHOE BOX – for the unfortunate children around the world. I also participate in an Angel Tree for both older folks and disabled children. Finally, Backback for Kids. It is for children in need of school supplies and other goodies. - Imee L., Assistant Print and Pattern Graphic Designer
• My uncle hosts a fabulous Christmas party each year. This year he added a toy drive to it and was able to collect SO MANY toys for the children in New Orleans in need. - Maddie H., Social Media and Communications Manager

Team Destira wishes everyone a very special holiday this year. We hope you have the best time and enjoy all of the new memories and traditions you will make. Happy Holidays!