The holiday countdown is officially on! Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, another holiday, or just enjoying a slower pace as the year winds down, this season has a way of bringing people together…especially around food.
Here at SiteSeer , while our days are filled with making our site selection and market research platform the best it can be and helping retail and commercial real estate teams build models and make smarter real estate decisions, the holidays give us a chance to pause and appreciate the traditions that make this time of year special.
From family recipes passed down through generations to newer favorites that quickly became classics, we our team members to share the dishes they look forward to most. Here’s what they had to say!
Fettucine Alfredo | Danielle, CEO
In Danielle’s family, Christmas isn’t complete without her homemade fettuccine alfredo. While she won’t claim the recipe as her own invention, it does come with an awesome origin story. Danielle learned it from the owner of a family-run Italian restaurant in her hometown of Buhl, Idaho, who passed along techniques rooted in true Italian tradition.
“The owner had spent a year in Italy skiing and working at a restaurant,” Danielle says. “When he left, the owners gifted him their family cookbook, written in Italian around 1900. All of his pasta and sauces came from that book. I loved his style of fettuccine alfredo and watched him make it so I could learn.”
Rich and indulgent, it’s a dish saved just for the holidays. “It’s too rich to eat year-round, so it became our special Christmas treat,” Danielle says. “My kids used to complain that the recipe was all in my head—because that’s how I learned it—so I finally wrote it down and shared it with them a few years ago.”
If you’re curious, feel free to reach out to Danielle for the recipe—there’s one secret ingredient you don’t typically find in this decadent classic!
Paella | Andy, Chief Technology Officer
Holidays wouldn’t be complete for Andy without his family’s long-standing tradition of paella night. For the past 35 years (excluding 2020), Andy’s parents travel from the United Kingdom—where he’s from—to spend the season with the family, and one evening is always dedicated to his dad’s family-famous paella. This classic Spanish dish is loaded with giant shrimp, chicken thighs, chorizo, mussels, fresh calamari, and perfectly seasoned Spanish rice with peas, onions, smoked paprika, and saffron.
“We gather all the kids and their families for a big celebration,” Andy says. “It’s my favorite meal of the year. It’s fun, full of laughter, and exemplifies what’s great about this time of year: family, friends, and enjoying every moment together.”
Paella is a beloved dish for large gatherings, and it’s a perfect example of how food can bring people together across generations. Try this easy AllRecipes version!
Candy Cane Sugar Cookies | Lance, Director of Business Development
For Lance, the holidays wouldn’t feel complete without a fresh-baked batch of candy cane sugar cookies—a sweet tradition his mom has been making for as long as he can remember. These cookies are festive, nostalgic, and nearly impossible to stop eating.
“There’s something about these cookie—you can’t just eat one or even three,” Lance says. “Maybe it’s the candy cane shape or the subtle hint of almond, but they’re delicious. I love this time of year because it’s all about being with the ones you love, which brings out the magic of the season.”
Mrs. Blick’s original recipe is a closely guarded family favorite! But if you’re feeling inspired to try something similar, this AllRecipes version comes pretty close.
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake | Sarah, Client Success Manager
For Sarah, the holidays don’t revolve around just one standout dish—they’re defined by a collection of sweet traditions that signal the season has arrived. Narrowing it down was no easy task, but two favorites rose to the top: a Caramel Apple Sheet Cake that quickly became a family obsession, and a classic homemade caramel corn that’s been part of her holidays for…forever!
One recent standout is the Caramel Apple Sheet Cake made from a recipe by The Pioneer Woman. “My sister made this cake, and I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Sarah says. Rich, comforting, and perfectly seasonal, it didn’t take long for the cake to earn a permanent spot on the holiday menu. If you’re looking to try it yourself, you can find the recipe here. However, first place goes to a family recipe. Coming from a family of sweet tooths, it’s no surprise that Sarah’s longtime holiday favorite is her dad’s homemade caramel corn. “He makes it at least ten times between November and the end of the year because it disappears so fast. For me, that snack is a reminder of the holidays with my family. It’s simple, familiar, and something I just love.”
Pernil | Yunior, Technical Support Specialist
No holiday or special family gathering feels complete to Yunior without Pernil, the slow-roasted pork shoulder that his mom has been making his entire life. Born in the Dominican Republic, Yunior moved to Puerto Rico at age six and later settled in Redding, Pennsylvania, attending middle and high school there. “Whenever my mom makes Pernil, it instantly takes me back home,” he says. “It’s about more than the food—it’s about the family sitting together around the table, sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.”
This classic dish is a staple in many Caribbean homes, where large, communal dinners are a cherished tradition. The pork is roasted low and slow until tender, juicy, and flavorful, often served alongside rice, beans, and other festive sides. If you want to try it yourself, AllRecipes has a mouthwatering version, and so does My Dominican Kitchen.
Thank you from the SiteSeer Team
As we near the end of 2025, the entire team at SiteSeer wants to thank our clients, data partners, friends, and blog readers for your trust and support throughout the year.
There’s no question this has been a challenging time for many across retail real estate and analytics, but it’s also reinforced the importance of adaptability, good data, and strong partnerships.
We’re proud of the work we’ve done together and optimistic about what lies ahead. As we look toward 2026, we remain committed to helping teams navigate change, uncover opportunity, and make confident decisions—no matter what the market brings.
If your organization could use research, insights, or a fresh perspective in the year ahead, we’re always here to help.
