’Tis the season for traditions.

At my house, the day we switch out one of the seed feeders for a suet cage is a big deal. We do it together, even though it’s really a one-person job. For the rest of the day, we sneak quick peeks out the window, anxiously awaiting our first suet eater of the season. And then there’s the day, later in winter, that I reluctantly agree to take our Christmas tree down, leaving a mountain of needles on the floor in its wake. We toss the tree over the railing of the side porch for the birds to roost and hide in for the rest of the cold season.

This winter issue is jam-packed with bird feeding tips and advice you can use in your backyard to jump-start new family traditions. In our special winter edition of Bird Tales on page 23, look for a little heart symbol next to each photo. It tells you which foods and habitats each bird loves. Try attracting cold-weather birds with new foods.

If your most cherished traditions involve traveling, find eight festivals that pay tribute to flowers—lilacs, tulips and more—on page 46. Fill your 2018 calendar with these celebratory events and you’re on your way to making new memories.

This magazine is also rooted in tradition. The first Birds & Blooms Backyard Photo Contest launched in 1995 in our premiere issue, and it’s still going strong today—the 2017 contest brought in more than 9,000 entries! We’ve narrowed it down to 12 finalists, but now it’s up to you to choose a winner. Flip to page 51 to see the best of this year’s photos and learn how you can vote for your favorites.

Whatever your wintertime traditions are, add a little nature to them—it’s good for the soul. Happy holidays!