Christmas Traditions for Your Family

Creating Christmas traditions that will become as much a part of your family as the family members themselves is often very tricky. People often want someone to tell them what their traditions should be, or when they should be done, but honestly Christmas traditions vary as widely as families themselves. So, how does one go about figuring out exactly what Christmas traditions to initiate within their families, and which ones will have the most meaning to them in years to come?

First, look back at your own childhood. Did you and your parents have any traditions? Have you already begun to include your children or significant other in these traditions, or have they dropped entirely since you left home and started a family of your own? Look at these traditions, or what used to be traditional in your family and see if there are practical ways to incorporate these traditions in your lives today. For example, when I was little, we always strung popcorn and made popcorn balls and other assorted holiday goodies in the days before Christmas. As, we all grew up this tradition stopped. However, since I have moved into my own home and life, I have revived this tradition with my family, now we do this in my home each year. We spend hours making candies, cookies, fudge, and all kinds of Christmas delights to be shared with family and friends, this holiday tradition results in an abundance of great food, but more importantly in an abundance of laughter and memories that will last for years to come.

Another tradition you may want to consider is out with the old, before in with the new. This is a tradition that my son and I enjoy every year since he was born. We start going through all of our things, clothes, toys, books, well just everything. Then we post all of these things on our local freecycle groups and add a note that preference will be given to those needing these things or planning to give them for the holidays. We always get a big response, and it helps to set the mood of giving in our household.

Our last Christmas tradition is our tree. We always put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we do it as a family. My husband and I take turns telling our little boy the stories behind each and every ornament that goes on the tree, and he loves hearing the tales of where each one came from. He proudly helps us select the perfect spot for each and every one of them, and points them out to family and friends as they visit, and includes the story of each of them. This helps us to make our holidays more personal, in what is quickly becoming the most commercial of all of the holidays.

Christmas traditions are important for each and every family. However, they aren't like cookie cutter cookies where one shape fits all. It may take time, but spend the minutes, hours or days required, and build your own Christmas traditions to share with family and friends, and watch the holiday change from something that you tolerate once a year, to something you look forward to throughout the year!