Traditions are special! It’s the handing down of customs from one generation to another.
Traditions are powerful because Tradition helps us to feel like we belong. It’s doing the same thing every week or every year. It’s the comfort in knowing what to expect. Don’t worry if you didn’t grow up in a family that had any traditions. Guess what? It’s never too late to start your own! Some of my favorite family traditions center around Christmas! Here’s a few ideas of traditions you could start in your own family:
- Attending a candle light Christmas Eve church service!
- Watching Rudolph or another Christmas movie while stringing popcorn!
- Having a dinner “picnic” on the living room floor near the Christmas tree!
- Grab your blankets & pillows and sleep under the Christmas tree!
- Baking & Decorating Cookies!
- Decorating a gingerbread house
- Setting up a Hot Chocolate Bar on Christmas Eve
- Ringing bells for the Salvation Army
- Delivering cookies or gift baskets to neighbors or someone in need.
Another favorite tradition of mine? CRAFTY CHRISTMAS!
My sweet sister Joni came up with this about 30 years ago and we’ve been doing it ever since!! Here’s the way it works…Each person draws one name and MAKES a gift for that person! We have a large extended family, about 30 of us, so buying gifts for each person is out of the question. You may think you need to be “crafty” or “artsy” to do this but I promise that anyone can do this! Literally, anything goes as long as you MAKE it! Every year, I’m amazed at the creativity from Men, Women, Teens, and kids of all ages!
My college son made homemade granola for his aunt, my teenage nephew made a tire swing for his younger cousin, my niece made a homemade ornament to commemorate a special family event, my sister made flavored olive oil, my husband made a spoon rest at a paint your own pottery shop for a niece, my brother in law built an outdoor flower box for my Mom. Easy or Challenging, as long as you make it, that’s the point! I will admit there are some years where I secretly complain about this family tradition. Having little time during the holidays, or trying to come up with an idea can be tricky, but as we are opening our Crafty Christmas gifts, I’m always amazed at what people come up with. There’s a lot of love in a gift that someone has to take the time and effort to make. Yes, buying a gift card is quicker and easier, but making a gift lets people know that you thought of them, and took the time to create something just for them.
Some traditions you may even complain a little about, but in the end, they are almost always worth it! You may never know what traditions really stick out to your kids, but later when they get older, and they start doing the same tradition with their own family, you’ll know it’s all worth it!
Mom of 3 Fish 
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