Timeless Family Traditions

Spending time with family and creating memories is part of what makes the holidays so much fun. But you can make them even more enjoyable and special by creating your own family traditions. Just because your family does not currently have any holiday traditions does not mean you cannot start them now. Give your children something specific to look forward to for each holiday every year, and something that they can pass on to their children someday. The traditions do not have to be costly or complicated; just find something small that makes each holiday a little extra special.

The Easter Bunny, coloring eggs, baskets of candy, and egg hunts are common traditions seen each Easter. But you want something more unique to do each year to commemorate Easter. If you live somewhere that the weather permits doing so, spend Easter day or the day before flying kites as a family. Choose a fun dessert to make each year. But make sure you make it only during Easter time; that is the key to creating a special tradition. Make an egg hunt more entertaining by putting random items in plastic eggs before hiding them. Giggles are sure to abound when children find items like cat food, a bottle cap, or a gum wrapper inside.

Pumpkin carving, corn mazes, costumes, and haunted houses are all customary Halloween practices. Trick-or-treating is one of the most popular activities, but filling a bunch of children with ridiculous amounts of sugar just doesn’t sound like a good idea. Instead of focusing on getting, shift the focus to giving instead. Have the whole family dress up and visit a retirement community. Even if you don’t know any of the residents, it will be rewarding for you just as much as them. If you live in a residential neighborhood, leave bags of treats at the doors of your neighbors. Ring the doorbell or knock and run away to avoid being seen.

Enjoying a large turkey feast is probably the most common Thanksgiving custom. But Thanksgiving should be about so much more; it is a time to reflect what we are thankful for and enjoy time spent with family. Some families watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, play football, or give back to their community together. Consider serving a Thanksgiving meal as a family to those less fortunate. Or create a journal in which each family member writes what they are most thankful for each year.

When it comes to Christmas, there is no shortage of common traditions: Santa, stockings hung over the fireplace, Christmas trees, baked goods, and a plethora of decorations. But it’s always more fun to add your own unique traditions to the mix. On Christmas Eve, take the time as a family to create shaped dough ornaments, paint them, and then add them to your family’s Christmas tree. Spend your evenings the week before Christmas listening to holiday music, playing games, and/or doing a puzzle together. Go caroling together at a hospital and brighten Christmas Eve for others around you.

New Year’s Eve is known for staying up until midnight, making lots of noise, and watching fireworks. If finances allow, consider taking a trip to the same location each year. A quiet cabin is a great choice for the family to reflect on the year and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Cook together and play games, avoiding television and other distracting technology. If you need or want to stay home, consider a home video night. Spend the evening together watching old videos of years passed. Throughout the year have each family member write down special memories. And on New Year’s Eve sit down together, taking turns reading each one and reminiscing.