It’s finally fall — and for many, that means drinking pumpkin spice lattes and carving jack-o’-lanterns. For others, Christmas trees are already up and lit for the season.

We all have our favorite holiday traditions; our founder, Mr. George, was no different. Here are some of the ways Mr. George celebrated the holidays:

• Mr. George’s favorite Thanksgiving dish was the turkey. He loved to carve it and always ate a drumstick.
• The first holiday bonuses were given to associates in the 1950s.
• Associate Appreciation Visits began informally as a holiday tradition. Mr. George and other company leaders visited stores to show their appreciation for associates’ hard work.
• Mr. George used to be the office “Santa” and would hand out gifts for an associate gift exchange.

While some things have changed, many have stayed the same. As we approach this year’s season, we encourage associates to reflect on the rich history of celebrating holidays at Publix. Whether you have long-standing traditions or you’re the host with the most, we’re happy to share our holiday joy with you.