Keeping Tradition Alive

As friends and families gather together to observe winter holidays, many follow traditions as part of their celebrations. There are typical traditions, like lighting a menorah each night of Hanukkah, decorating a tree for Christmas, or making resolutions for the New Year. Some families have more unusual traditions, like having a dress-up theme for Christmas Eve or throwing a BBQ for winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Some traditions instill faith, but whether faith-based or not, practicing tradition is a way to teach values, build relationships, foster a sense of belonging and create lasting positive memories. These are all things that make a strong, positive impact on a child's life and support their mental wellness.

Tips for Creating or Maintaining Traditions

Whether your family is just starting out, or you are simply looking to breathe new life into your holidays, here are some ways to build traditions that last.

• Keep it simple. Traditions don’t have to be expensive, Instagram-perfect, or take a lot of time.
• Focus on connection. Think of playing games, baking, singing songs, showing gratitude, visiting a holiday display, volunteering, making resolutions or going for a winter hike as a family.
• Fit traditions in at times when you might already have time set aside, like during family time on weekends.
• Involve children in planning and carrying out the activities. The excitement your kids have can motivate you to follow through year after year.
• Build your village. If you don’t have a large extended family or if your relatives live far away, reach out to neighbors, your school community or your faith-based community to create shared traditions together.
• Adapt when needed. Families and friend groups change over time, adding new members through birth and marriage and losing members through distance, death or divorce. Adapt to keep the core of the tradition in place even if the members or location needs to change. If you used to enjoy a big meal at grandma’s house and she’s passed away, do it at your house and use some of grandma’s favorite recipes.
• Grow with your kids. Traditions aren’t just for young kids. Keep them going through the teen and young adult years, even if they require a little updating.
• Look beyond the holidays. Remember to incorporate predictable, grounding activities into your family life all year long.

The Effort Is Worth the Reward

Establishing and maintaining family traditions is a way for families to bond together over shared experiences. They connect us to one another and to our past.

Resources

• Doctor Offers Tips To Keep Kids Safe This Holiday Season
• Positive Parenting

Related Categories

• Parenting Advice
• Healthy Development