Congress members’ traditions

Every year, despite how busy they may be, senators and representatives take time out of their schedules to reflect on the holiday season and celebrate all it has to offer. Some head home to their families, while others celebrate with their second families, their staff. Others make time to do both.

Sen. Mike Enzi’s (R-Wyo.) office hosts an open house every year for all the workers and support staff of the Senate. “It’s become a holiday tradition for all of us, as our staff looks forward to the opportunity to show off their culinary creativity and talent in the kitchen as they prepare their favorite holiday cookies and treats,” said Enzi. “We’re open all day, and my wife Diana and I are sure to be there on hand to welcome everyone who drops by. It’s our way of saying ‘Thank you’ to all those who make our lives a little easier every day.”

Enzi said that without the workers and Senate staff, the Senate couldn’t function. “They’re an important part of our Senate family,” he said.

Rep. Danny Davis’s (D-Ill.) holidays are rich in tradition. “We usually spend Thanksgiving at my sister’s house and Kwanzaa at my house,” he said. “It’s always dinner, dinner, dinner.”

Every Christmas Eve, Davis visits about a dozen shelters for battered women and children in the Chicago area. “It’s really the highlight of my holiday season, providing those in need with warm clothes and food.”

On Christmas Day, Davis and the Rev. Jesse Jackson visit the Cook County Jail in Chicago and interact with inmates and detainees. “It’s very meaningful to me, and a regular part of my holiday season,” Davis said.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and her family have a Hanukkah party every year. Along with her four grandchildren, Schakowsky and her family started a tradition in which they begin their holiday gift exchange with discussions about what they’ll give as a family to Heifer International.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability.

Schakowsky and her family look through a gift catalog of animals to buy for families in Third World countries.

“When this first started, my grandchildren were around 4 years old, and my grandson thought that he would get the animals we picked out,” Schakowsky said. “He was so excited about getting chicks and rabbits that we finally had to back up and explain to him what we’ll get for these families. He’d always look through and say ‘Let’s get a llama!’ It was so funny.”

Schakowsky said the goal before opening presents is to think about how lucky their family is and to give to children around the world.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) traditionally opens presents with his family on Christmas morning, and on Christmas Eve his children and grandchildren split up and go visit other in-laws. On Christmas Eve, Nelson makes his traditional oyster stew and chili.

“Generally, we’re at our house for Christmas morning,” Nelson said. “It’s a struggle to keep the kids from opening their presents Christmas Eve. It’s almost cruel and unusual punishment because some of their friends open theirs on Christmas Eve.”

Nelson’s tradition has been happening for a very long time, he said. “My kids are in their 30s, so it’s been awhile,” he said. “Traditions are what you sort of get used to, and you get such great discomfort when you don’t do them. This is why tradition is typically a positive word — there’s not that many negative connotations to it.”