From our family to yours, Season’s Greetings from Capitol Federal®! Like you, our staff and employees spend time with friends and family during the holidays. Whether it’s putting up lights with dad, cooking pies with Grandma, or having a holiday party with friends and co-workers, traditions play an important role during the holidays. Our CapFed employees wanted to share some of their holiday traditions and memories with you, and we’d love to hear some of yours as well!
Giving Back During the Holidays
Krystal Dekat, the Assistant Branch Manager of our West Manhattan Branch, has many holiday traditions, but her favorite involves family, food and faith. “A favorite holiday tradition at our house is to have our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, play games, open gifts and enjoy each other’s company. Then we bundle up and go to church for candlelight service,” says Krystal. “Holiday traditions make me think of home and family. Many traditions pass from one generation to the next. Families may be separated, but the common thread of a tradition keep memories close by.”
For Krystal, the holidays also mean giving back. “The first year I worked for Capitol Federal was the year of 9/11, and my parents' passing. It was hard and left my children and me with our first holiday alone. My daughter wanted to feed the hungry for Christmas, so we delivered Meals on Wheels together and our generous CapFed team donated money for blankets and slippers for our Meals on Wheels recipients. On Christmas morning, my kids and I got up early, donned Santa hats, and took meals and gifts, in the snow to those in need. That is a Christmas my kids and I will never forget.”
Family Traditions
In Liberty, MO, Branch Manager Michael Dwyer also celebrates the holidays with family. “On Christmas Eve, we gather at my in-laws' home to have a Christmas karaoke night,” said Michael. “Another memorable holiday tradition that we have as a family is our Secret Santa. We draw names on Thanksgiving and hand out presents on Christmas. It started as a way to make sure that we all made it back to each other on Christmas, but became a tradition that we love.”
Ringing in the New Year
Sara Tevis, a Risk Management Analyst in Topeka, has a unique tradition to ring in the New Year. “In our family, we have a tradition on New Year’s Day that dates back to our German ancestors called Wünsching. When a child wishes an adult Happy New Year, it is customary for the adult to give the child a small amount of money, called Wünschgelt, or wishing money. We go to the homes of different family members and wish each other good luck for the New Year, health, peace and unity. Kids will receive a small gift at each home and everyone will enjoy food and drinks. It’s a fun way to spend time together and kick-off the New Year as a family,” says Sara.
Happy holidays from all of us at Capitol Federal! Thank you for being a True Blue® customer and we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2017, one filled with good fortune and abundant joy.
We’d love to hear some of your favorite holiday memories and traditions. Share them below!
Categories:
CapFed® News
, Community and Events
, Your Home
Tags:
About CapFed
