Capitol Hill clears out in late December as lawmakers head home to family and familiar rituals, trading committee rooms for kitchens and living rooms. Members on both sides of the aisle share small, heartfelt traditions—from Cuban sandwiches and Cajun fried turkey to Hanukkah menorah lightings and cookie swaps. The season highlights what matters most to many lawmakers: faith, family, food, and the funny, human moments that don’t make the headlines. This piece listens in on those moments and lets you peek at the quieter side of public servants at year-end.
The Hill can feel like a ghost town when members go home, and that silence brings a welcome change of pace. For Republicans who value family time and faith, the break is a chance to recharge and refocus on core values. Lawmakers trade news cycles for backyards, and the politics of the day give way to the rituals that hold families together.
Rep. Byron Donalds offered a vivid snapshot of his family’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the kind of detail that makes politics feel personal. “So, Christmas Eve is Spanish bean soup and Cuban sandwiches,” Donalds told Fox News Digital. “And Christmas Day we just spend time, and Christmas night will be some basketball, some football, and maybe a fire.”
Rep. Eric Burlison described a more playful scene full of competition and laughs that anyone with a big family will recognize. Burlison talked about a scavenger hunt his mother organizes for the grandchildren and competitive White Elephant games. “And then we do Christmas bingo for our White Elephant gifts, and it gets pretty competitive,” Burlison smiled. “One of the funny things that happens every year is my brother will, whatever home we’re in, he’ll steal something from the house and then throw it in as one of the gifts.”
The little surprises are the gold of holiday memories, the moments that get retold at every gathering and grow funnier each year. Burlison’s next lines capture that exact, private chaos that families love. “You’ll end up opening it and you’re like, ‘Oh, we have a vase just like this, Oh, wait, that’s our vase!’ It’s so funny. He does it all the time.”
House leadership keeps things simple and rooted in home life, too. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said his favorite part of the season is opening presents with his kids and enjoying Cajun fried turkey, a reminder that regional traditions matter. Those small, regional touches are part of what makes family time feel like coming home.
Faith remains central for many members and shapes how they celebrate and give thanks. Rep. Henry Cuellar made that plain when he spoke about beginning the holidays with Mass and family meals. “The holidays always begin with attending Christmas Mass and thanking God for the miracle of the birth of Christ,” Cuellar told Fox News Digital. “From there, it’s about being at home with family — gathering around the table, sharing home-cooked meals, and keeping traditions that bring everyone together.”
Not every tradition looks the same, but the theme is universal: community and care. Rep. Debbie Dingell described swapping cookies and hosting dinners with close friends and neighbors, while Rep. Josh Gottheimer emphasized family-focused events during Hanukkah and community toy drives. “The holidays are a special time for me to celebrate with my family — whether that’s lighting the menorah with my kids, donating toys at local toy drives, or joining our community for tree and menorah lightings,” Gottheimer said.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.