La: Did you make “tang yuan” (汤圆: glutinous rice balls) on Sunday?
Ya: Nope.
La: Why not? It’s winter solstice and a tradition to do so.
Ya: Says who?
La: My mom…
Ya: 
Having tang yuan to me is more of symbolism than a die-hard tradition to follow. Symbolic stuff is not always traditional while traditions are always symbolic, though many traditions lose their symbolism when they are forgotten, while the traditions are still attached to. I remember asking my mom about tang yuan when I was little. She gave me a “Zen” answer.
Ya: Why do we eat tang yuan?
Ma: It’s just tradition.
Being young then, I didn’t understand my mom’s answer. Or maybe she didn’t know the answer either. It was only when I googled it that I knew. (To know more, please click here) So why do I not make tang yuan? The main reason would be that I don’t use the lunar calendar much, which the ‘tang yuan day’ is based upon. And even though I like the dish, I don’t see a need to eat it only on that particular day. Finally, because I have reunions (团圆) with my family rather often, the custom of going through the symbolic motion to eat tang yuan during winter solstice with family members seems redundant. If I were to make and eat tang yuan just for the sake of continuing the tradition, wouldn’t it become meaningless? Well, I propose that the next time you wish to have tang yuan, eat it any time, anywhere… and may you have it with your loved ones!