And Then I'll Be Happy!
Create Your Own New Holiday Traditions
A friend of mine was concerned about the upcoming holiday season. Recently
married to a man with two young children, she and her husband were at a loss
as what to do about traditions.
“The kids have been wonderful about accepting me as part of their lives and I
wanted to do something special for the holidays.”
The problem is, she continued, they have no family traditions established for
when they come to her house.
There are many in the same position as my friend. Some families are a two
religion household. Some decide that the customs and traditions of their
childhood aren’t what they now need; still others grew up with out any real
traditions but wish they had.
The solution? Create your own traditions.
Holiday traditions become something special because of the memories
associated with them. Some are religious, like lighting special candles or
serving ethnic foods symbolic of your faith. Others are just generic fun.
Anything you do for a holiday can become a tradition.
If you have become a step-parent recently and this is the first holiday together
with the children, be innovative. Ask them what they would like to do and
honor their requests for special food or customs. Remember, familiarity to a
child is comforting. But do introduce new traditions, ones that you create as a
blended family.
It can be as simple as having hot chocolate with whipped cream after dinner or
as elaborate as putting special decorations with each family member’s name
imprinted on them in a place of honor.
If you and your husband are of different faiths or belief systems, create
something that is distinctly yours as a couple. One husband and wife I met
have a tradition that is special to them. They make heart-shaped breads filled
with raisins and currents every year. It symbolizes their love. This year they
have begun making the breads as gifts for their friends too.
Another couple has a tradition of having two dinner parties, a week apart, for
both of their families. At one they serve traditional Jewish food, at the other
traditional Italian food. Both families learn to appreciate each other in a
friendly gathering. They look forward to this cultural exchange every year.
Holding to old traditions and customs is warm and loving but creating new
traditions to enjoy every year is exciting and fun.
Traditions are something that make memories. Make a few new ones this year.
***© 2009 all rights reserved Kristen Houghton
The above articles may not be rewritten, copied, published, broadcast, or redistributed, wholly or in any
part, without the express written permission of Kristen Houghton.
