Getting traditional

 

Wikipedia defines family traditions, also called family culture, as a combination of attitudes, ideas and ideals, and environment, which a person inherits from his/her parents and ancestors.

Put simply, family traditions are the little (and sometimes big) things that glue a family together.
When I was growing up, my sister and I always used to tackle our dad on payday and try to get the money out of his pockets. I guess now that would mean an Eftpos card.

We have a passed-down, secret family recipe for self-saucing chocolate pudding that is leaked to outsiders upon fear of death.

We have little nuances that only we know about, and that makes us family.

The concept of the family unit has changed a lot since “traditional” times, but traditions are still important. If you can’t think of any family traditions that your family adheres to, consider inventing some and sticking to them until they become ingrained. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

General traditions

•    Each family member gets to choose his/her favourite meal for their birthday

•    No one can go to bed until they’ve said goodnight to each family member

•    For religious milestones such as baptism or confirmation, a child is given a book of scripture.

•    Saturdays are dad’s day to make breakfast with the kids

•    Take turns choosing a topic of discussion at the dinner table

•    Have a special dinner plate to be used by a family member who has a reason to celebrate

•    Tell a story every night before bed

•    Keep a family journal, letting everyone write in it

•    Establish your own holidays, such as an "unbirthday party"

•    Have an annual viewing of a favourite family movie

Christmas traditions

•    Have each member of the family draw the name of another member and make a handmade gift for that person

•    Collect or make one ornament each year that has special meaning to the family

•    Have the children write letters to Santa and place them in their stockings. Write letters in reply from Santa commending each child for his or her good behaviour that year

•    As a family, make gingerbread houses, candy trains, or ornaments

•    Tell the Christmas story to the children

•    As a family, put up Christmas decorations and decorate the tree as a family, making it an event with music and good food

•    Drive around the neighbourhood looking at lights and listening to Christmas music

By Vanessa O’Brien