And it's a trend that I think will continue to grow because of the small size of families today and the increasing 'fluidity' of families, where people are less locked into stable, long-term relationships. Gilbert defines affiliative kin as a group that replaces the unavailable family or has some relational aspect that differs from one's family of origin. An affiliative family doesn't have the legal or blood connections a traditional family has, but in many ways its members hold a similar emotional regard for one another. Very often these are people who just feel disconnected. The perception that they are alone becomes much more intense during the holidays.
Tradition is one of the most powerful tools human beings use to feel connected.
Before Christmas is not. It would be wonderful to bring together your traditions in a holiday celebration. Food has tremendous family meaning for us, so you could have a dinner in which each person brings a traditional dish. Maybe you bring your mom's oyster stuffing that you just love. You have the recipe, and it makes you think of your mom and feel close to your family while sharing a special time with your friends.