Christmas Traditions Old and New

Warming the hearts of families in Christmas' past and Christmas' yet to come, traditions are the basic foundation of the Christmas Spirit. Christmas traditions can be found everywhere during the holidays, and not just within homes and families. Children lining up to see Santa is a tradition, as well as the malls full of hurried and stressed shoppers. The expectations of seeing these familiar sights each Christmas season, is in itself, a tradition that many of us share.

Families share traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. And as families grow and change, as new hearts are brought into families, so are new traditions. Christmas is a time where old and new traditions flourish together, and each tradition brings it's own unique memories to the Christmas Holidays.

Traditions can come in many ways and forms to families. Simply eating Christmas dinner together every year can be a family tradition. In some families a tradition might be preparing Christmas dinner the exact same way as Grandma did years previous, using the same Christmas dinner plates as Great-Grandma did even years before. It is always fun and heartwarming to share Christmas traditions, and who knows, your family may embrace a new tradition.

Helping others less fortunate is a common tradition among families at Christmas Time. But it could be even more special to children in the family if they are presented with $20 or whatever amount a parent decides, and they decide which charity to give to.

Another tradition many families participate in is in giving a new toy to another child through special programs, such as Toys For Tots, and many others readily found during the holidays.

Families often make it a tradition to get their Christmas tree together, and decorate it together as well.

In my family, it was always a tradition to open one present on Christmas Eve, which was a present from our parents. That is passed on in my own family with my own children today.

New pajamas on Christmas Eve are a tradition among a lot of families that I know. Those new p.j.'s are anticipated every year with giggles and smiles.

One family I know of keeps those new Christmas pajamas on all Christmas Day. Every one plays with their new toys and watches Christmas movies and parades in their comfy new Christmas jammies!

Of course, what child does not follow through on the tradition of leaving cookies for Santa, and few carrots for the reindeer?

Christmas Journals are a very special tradition that I would actually like to do with my family this year. Write down everything about this Holiday season, from where you went shopping, to which gifts you selected for whom, to recipes created, to company you entertained. Add things like funny things your children may have said to Santa, what was on their "wish list" that year, and on and on. This creates a lasting memory book for families to share for years to come.

A new Christmas ornament for each of your children can be enjoyed on the Christmas tree each Christmas, and tucked away in a special box later as a collection for your child to have when he or she is grown. A tradition that is handed down in a beautiful and heartfelt way.

Special letters from Santa to special readings from certain Christmas Books, traditions are everywhere during the Christmas Season. You can always create new ones to add to old, or embrace several new traditions if you are feeling a little low on traditions this year. During the Christmas Holidays, nothing will draw loved ones closer to each other than the joy and warmth family traditions bring.