When you were growing up did your family have some traditions that you now remember fondly? Would you like to create that for your family?
Family traditions are a great way to keep families bonded and happy. By taking some time to consciously start some traditions you can shape future memories that will be filled with love, warmth, and laughter. (amidst all the bickering and chaos, of course.)
New Family Holiday Tradition Ideas
Choose one or two ideas from below and try them out this year.
Halloween
1. Pumpkin Patch! Take the family to a farm or pumpkin patch. Carve some jack-o-lanterns and roast the pumpkin seeds (use some garlic salt or other seasoning to spice them up such as Old Bay). Tip: Buy a pumpkin carving knife at the supermarket to make this much easier. Light them up at night and tell some ghost stories!
2. Costume Party. Host a costume party for kids and/or adults. Give prizes for best costumes. Let everyone vote. Take pictures of everyone and create an online photo album you can share with everyone who attends.
3. Haunted Events. Go on a haunted hayride or visit a haunted house event. Boo!
4. Themed Museums. Visit local museums that have something spooky to offer.
Thanksgiving
1. Thankful Giving. As a family take a Saturday or Sunday to do some charity work together with the theme being "Sharing our good fortune with others."
2. Round the Table. At the Thanksgiving dinner have each family member say what they are most thankful for in their life. This tradition could even become a daily tradition!
3. Share a Story. After dinner and at dessert have everyone share a story. Possible themes:
- The greatest day of my life.
- The best thing that happened in my life this year.
- My favorite memory from childhood.
- The funniest thing that ever happened to me.
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Other Year End Celebrations
1. Meaning. Well before presents come into play, take time as a family to talk about the true meaning of the holiday you are celebrating. What is the origin? What is the current day meaning? How does each family member feel about it and does it inspire you to live life differently in the upcoming year?
2. Skip the Gifts. Instead of buying a bunch of stuff that no one really needs, why not spend the money on a family vacation instead? The Caribbean, skiing, or how about a cruise? Instead of gifts, enjoy a family meal together and some fun outdoor activities.
3. White Elephant Gift Grab. This idea works especially well for large families where buying presents for everyone becomes a real financial burden. Scrap the new gifts and instead have everyone wrap an item from home that they no longer use, but which would have value for someone else. At the family gathering, have each member pick a number from a hat to set the order of gift picking. Each person gets a chance to pick from the pile of wrapped presents. As each person opens their gift, if they like another gift that has already been opened they can force a swap for the gift they like better. In this way, it is best to be the last person to pick from the gift pile. You could do this just for the adults or for the kids too. Feel free to modify the rules for your family. The emphasis should be on some family fun, and not so much on the presents received.
4. Caroling, Music, and Dance. As a family attend or host a holiday event prior to the actual celebration. Choose something that involves music, singing, dance, or something else celebratory such as going to see a local holiday play. Even if your family doesn't usually sing, try singing together as a family. I know, you may be thinking, "that's too corny." Go ahead and try it. It's fun!
New Year's Day
1. Get Outside. Take a New Year's Day family walk or hike. Attend a "polar bear" swimming event. Go skiing, ice skating, or if you live in a warm climate, go get some sunshine together.
2. Birth of a New Year. Celebrate the birth of the New Year by giving time to a charity together such as visiting a folks in nursing homes who have no one to visit them.
3. Resolutions. As a family share your resolutions and buddy up to help each other achieve your goals. Set a check in date at the end of each month over the next year to share successes and give encouragement. This can be really powerful. Tip: Pick just one resolution that you will focus on solely.
4. Invite a Single Person to a Family Dinner. We all know someone who doesn't have a lot of family living near them or maybe an elderly person who doesn't have much family. Think outside your regular circle of friends. Invite that person over for New Year's Day dinner for some warm friendly times together. Imagine the good you can create by doing this!
5. New Year's Family Picture. Start a banner that you can hang in your living or dining room. Each year take a family photo on New Year's Day and add it to the banner with the year. You can keep it just this simple or you can add more creativity. Either way it is a nice way to create a visual family history.
What are your favorite holiday traditions that you share with your family? Please share in the comments! We'd love to hear your ideas!
Written for Dumb Little Man by K. Stone, author of Life Learning Today, a blog about daily life improvements. Popular articles are How to Write a Book in 60 Days or Less and How to Be a Great Salesperson.
