soliek; you sound like me 😉 have we met?
Since there is always some tension and in the winter a race with the clock, It was introduced to keep a calmness in jewish homes on erev shabbos.
The braiding which requires two hands, keeps Mommy’s hands busy from potching the kids. The intricate braiding process (which seemed to progress from 3 to four to six etc…) keeps Mommy’s mind and mouth occupied from shouting at Tatty.
Nowadays with all the commercial bakeries it is kinda pointless
to some, and the shouting and potching matches continue to be prevalent at those houses that don’t bake and Flecht Challah.
Rosh hashanah when the new year is upon us we are aware and busy with Teshuvah and Forgiveness, so we are not worried about this.
So to show our seriousness and achdus at this time of years we make round Challas.