**[Traditions] (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition) definitely serve a purpose. There's the purpose of connectivity to others - those immediately around us and our ancestors. And there's also the ritualistic hole that traditions can fill - something we saw very acutely during the lockdown.** - Humans are [social creatures] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-018-0389-1), and taking part in group traditions makes us feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. Looking beyond ourselves is also crucial in reminding us of all of our vulnerability and inter-reliance. - Things like family traditions can also contribute to a feeling of routine and continuity in our lives. It was seen a lot over lockdown - when people felt overwhelmed by what was going on in the world, something as simple as a weekly dinner could instil a sense of control and agency. - It's telling that [as long] (https://humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/social-life#:~:text=Building%20Social%20Networks,-Beginning%20130%2C000%20years&text=Over%20time%2C%20humans%20began%20interacting,mi) as humans have lived in communities, traditions and customs have played a significant part in social life. And it's been [observed] (https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1941.43.2.02a00020) in anthropology that cross-culturally, stressful events like environmental threats and war are linked with increased ritualistic activity. Just the repetitious nature of traditions can [relieve anxiety] (https://theconversation.com/why-people-need-rituals-especially-in-times-of-uncertainty-134321) - regardless of whether the sense of meaning they give us is illusory or not.