Traditions; Are They Important?

As I finished my Christmas decorating this past week I look ahead into this season of opportunity. For some families Thanksgiving and Christmas help define who they are. For others, these holidays are a little more than eating and expense. Where do family traditions fit in? To me traditions are one of the most important parts of the holiday season. Being that my youngest daughter is in theater; I can hear Tevye, in "Fiddler on the Roof", belting out "traditions" as he kept reminding us that traditions are the sign posts that keep a family going in difficult times.

When we watch Christmas and holiday movies we see many traditions being carried out; but where did our traditions in our families today go? Traditions are the repetitive activities that can help children feel as if they are a part of a family that is special. In our time-conscious society, the only traditions that linger in many families are eating turkey one day in November and a flurry of shopping and list making in December. Though these events can be good in themselves these traditions are ones which leave us tired and exhausted instead of building family memories and bonds.

No one will take the time to bring back family traditions unless they can see the value in them. One value in family traditions is family unity. Children are made to feel as if they and their family are special if they can anticipate positive, predictable events at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our family has always had traditions which we follow for Christmas, holidays, and birthdays. As my children have started to leave the nest while a few remain; they have each reminded me of things they look forward to; which have become traditions without my even realizing it. And each year we seem to add a new tradition which we carry on each year following. This year a new tradition is being added to our family; one which is to not stress about present buying. I have to admit I was always one of those parents who felt tons of presents under the tree was the best Christmas morning. However this year my family and I sat down and put together ideas of how to make Christmas morning as exciting and memory making without all the "buying stress." I have to say I was very proud of my children (ranging in ages from 13 to 24.) who chose the family bonds as the most important. They wanted to keep very intact one of our traditions- each of them coming home to spend the night on Christmas Eve to wake up together Christmas morning, and then added a new one - like watching videos of past Christmases.

No matter what traditions you have, make sure and stick to them this Christmas
Season and why not think of a new one you can add this year too. Remember to think outside the box. For example, all Christmas week, each night before dinner, have someone pick out a Christmas card which your family has received. Then pray for the person who sent it to you. This will not only bless someone else but it will bless you and your family as well and can grow into a wonderful Christmas tradition.

Follow me on Twitter!