Traditions are powerful for a family. For one thing, they bring families closer together. By nature, they take time and commitment.
This time together helps you make new memories while also remembering the past. Traditions remind us to stop the busy cycle of life long enough to reconnect and build bonds.
Here are some new traditions that you could start with your family:
Collecting ornaments
Each year why not let your children choose a new ornament for your tree? Then when they move out they will have a collection of ornaments they can keep and possibly pass down to their children.
To make the ornament extra special get it personalised. Perhaps use photo baubles and date them. This way when your child is grown up they can see how they changed each year. Another idea is to let your children make their own ornaments each year.
Pose for a picture
Whether you’re sporting your new PJs or in your holiday finest, strike a pose with your family during the Christmas holidays. To make this an annual tradition, take the pictures at the same location and camera height each year. Gently label the backs with a photo-safe, acid-free pen and store the photos chronologically in an album with acid-free sheets.
Christmas Eve traditions
Break out your favourite holiday stories and start an annual tradition of reading together before bedtime on Christmas Eve. Designate one family member as the reader, or take turns passing the book around so everyone can read a page.
Christmas Eve movie and pyjama night
Let the kiddo’s open up one gift on Christmas Eve and have the whole family wear matching pyjamas. Not only will everyone look cute and ridiculous, it’s perfect for some candid family photos. It will be the perfect excuse to eat some popcorn, put on your favourite Christmas movie and snuggle with the family.
Christmas lights
Although decorating houses with lights at Christmas time has been an American tradition, over the years many South Africans have adopted this tradition. An inexpensive custom to start with the family is to drive around various neighbourhoods to look at the different decorations.
* Information obtained from www.parents.com, www.babycenter.com.au, www.momtastic.com and www.crestviewsylvanlake.com.
