How do you make Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's even more magical? From hundreds of reader ideas, we've picked the top 10 -- from the heartwarming to the hilarious -- to inspire you this season.
1. WHO'S GOT THE RUTABAGA?
The highlight of Christmas morning for the Dirmeyers of Maryville, Tennessee, is not opening presents or feasting on goodies. Instead, it's finally learning the answer to the burning question "Who's got the rutabaga?" The family's root-vegetable ritual began when 16-year-old twins Joseph and Haley were 3. Mom Debbie teased that Santa just might leave a rutabaga in their stockings, and a tradition was born. "For the last 12 years, we've given a rutabaga to the person who has had a particularly wonderful year, overcome some adversity, or shown amazing perseverance," she says. The year Steven, age 10, survived bladder surgery, he got the turnip trophy. And once-shy William, 13, received it for bravely joining a musical theater group. A photo album shows each year's winner holding up the treasured veggie. "Squeals of joy can always be heard from the recipient as they exclaim, 'I got the rutabaga!'" says Debbie. "What began as a joke has turned into a unique tradition that means a lot."
