We’ve had so many holiday family traditions over the years. I have such fond memories of each one that I wanted to make sure I was able to give my son the chance to experience those traditions while he was growing up. From the huge Thanksgiving dinner with all the sides and every pie flavor imaginable (so each person could have their favorite one) to traveling to multiple Christmas celebrations, within 48 hours, to see all of our family . . . I wanted him to experience them all just because I had when I was growing up.
But you know what? Holding to all those traditions is exhausting! Staying up late to aid Santa in his late-night deliveries on Christmas Eve or coming up with the daily Elf on the Shelf escapades may be fun, but can wear you down trying to keep up with it all. If keeping up with all these traditions is something you must do for your kids, determine a reasonable time frame and limit to doing them only while your kids are little.
Now that my son is an adult and so many family members have passed away, moved away, or don’t “participate” in family functions anymore, the holidays look different. And that’s okay! Creating new memorable family traditions can be a wonderful way to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Here are a few ideas to make new memories and establish new traditions that everyone will love:
- Celebrate the holidays together on a different date. Get together the weekend before Thanksgiving. Have Christmas together after church the Sunday before Christmas. Your family will probably find they love celebrating on different dates because it will be less stressful than trying to see everyone in a few short hours.
- Go out to eat. Why not make reservations and go out to dinner as a family? Nobody has to cook, and you can spend time focusing on your family.
- Spend a day together baking. Have everyone gather the ingredients for their favorite Christmas cookie. Spend the day baking them together. Play your favorite Christmas carols and sing along loudly–even if you can’t carry a tune! Then, take plates of cookies to the fire station, police station, or hospital for those people who work through the holidays.
- Have a family game night. Have everyone come in their Christmas pajamas and bring their favorite snack foods. Just hang out and have fun together. You can even turn it into a competition and give awards and prizes.
- Spend the day volunteering as a family. Choose a charity that everyone cares about. You could serve at a soup kitchen or take care of the animals at a shelter. Allow the staff and other volunteers to spend the holiday with their families.
- Take a trip together. Go someplace warm and enjoy a few days on a beach together instead of the cold. You could make it a weekend getaway or a larger vacation. Let each family member take turns choosing your destination.
Remember, the key to memorable holiday family traditions is participation from everyone. What appeals to your family’s interests and values will guide your choices. Be open to evolving these traditions as your family changes. You’ll create new memories that everyone will look forward to year after year!
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