Every Christmas my family gathers together for Thanksgiving, our annual Christmas eve party and Christmas itself. This year, my ever-gracious grandparents got the family together another time in between the two major holidays by booking a cabin and getting passes to Dollywood (my favorite!). Getting together is a rare and treasured thing when your family is as large as mine. Of course, with a large family, we did miss some family members who weren't able to make it. Though we wished they could have made it, of course, we made the best of our time in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee.

Upon arrival, the temperature outside was approximately 19 degrees—a very cold day for us Georgia natives. We gathered ‘round the table and shared a family dinner once the whole crew arrived. During this meal, we discussed our plans for the weekend and poked fun at each other. Then we played a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity. That was quite interesting with grandparents, aunts and parents.

That being said, the lessons learned from this holiday weekend are ones that can be applied to the lives of all of those who will be with family and friends this year.

Put your phone down. There are dozens of articles that berate those who use their phones constantly. This is not one of those articles. It is just a friendly reminder that, especially during the holidays, there are family stories being passed around that you may want to share with your family in the future.

Work to create memories. Just existing within the presence of your family is likely to evoke some memories in itself, but when you work to create experiences with the people you love, by planning unique experiences, you are more likely to remember those fun experiences and quirky occurrences.

Capture the moment. Family pictures are one of those things that probably doesn’t happen very often but is a treasure that lasts generation after generation. In between “enjoying the moment,” make sure to take time to document the experience so you can share the stories and experiences more vividly year after year.

Enjoy the little things. Whether it’s your family traditions or a funny story, take time to observe, listen and remember. Family gatherings, whether they occur weekly or once a decade, are a chance to develop stronger bonds that will last a lifetime.