T
he pandemic has upended a lot of the routines that are embedded in our lives. Its impact is particularly apparent during this time of year. Family get-togethers are normally such a fixture of the season, and yet, as a way of avoiding risk to themselves as well as those close to them, many households have opted not to host their usual large holiday meal or decided to forgo the annual trip to see distant relatives. From a psychological standpoint, suspending those traditions can be a difficult thing to do. As humans, we re just wired for repetition and for wanting to repeat things that bring us joy, says Meg Cox, author of