What does holiday food look like? It depends on where you come from.

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CEDAR RAPIDS — For many, it’s “the most wonderful time of the year.” But what exactly does that look like?

For many Americans, celebrating the holidays through food conjures similar ideas: turkeys or hams, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

But for some, traditions look a little different in the kitchen.

Here’s how families from different cultural backgrounds fold their own heritages into holiday celebrations.

Cookies without borders

Cookies have been teaching Czech Republic immigrant Tom Slepicka new things ever since he started baking at 8 years old.

Some lessons have been more scientific, like the one he learned after leaving sugar out of a recipe as a child.

“Now, I kn