Dear Aunt B Readers,
I have been thinking a lot about the column from a couple weeks ago where a reader asked about not enjoying the holidays. It has caused me to reflect on my own holidays. Self-disclosure here, I am not much of a holiday celebrator. In retrospect, I am not much of a celebrator in general. Not proud, but true. I want to make this change, so I started thinking about holiday traditions. Do you have holiday traditions? If you don’t, do you wish you did? I don’t have many traditions, and I want to change that. Wondering if it was too late, my children are grown, I decided nothing is ever too late. They just might look different. Isn’t that the truth about most things? Never too late, it just looks different.
So, what makes a tradition? Traditions are a set of behaviors that are linked to an event, repeated on a regular basis, usually annually, and are symbolic and meaningful. Emotions are attached with traditions, and they are likely passed on through the family. I believe a tradition gives us a sense of identity, can strengthen family belonging and bonds, and create fond memories. Hopefully traditions are enjoyed by most and bring a smile to our faces. Why create traditions? Well, for all of the above, especially making meaning and to create memories. They let us know what to expect, plan, and organize around the holidays. They help us teach values to the younger ones in our families. I sure hope I taught values in other ways since I failed on the traditions. I am pretty sure I did. My loves demonstrate values that make me proud.
How do we start with traditions? Look to your friends and families to get ideas. Think of holidays in the past. What makes you smile when you remember? The following is a list that can give you some ideas if you are starting from scratch:
•Go caroling or have a caroling party. (Singing Christmas songs)
•Hang stockings. Fill them with old fashioned stuff (fruit, socks, toiletries).
•Camp out by the Christmas tree.
•Go to or watch a Christmas parade.
•Buy an ornament every year. Have a theme for the purchase. Some examples might be heart shaped, battery operated, or Disney.
•Have a holiday party.
•Send holiday cards, maybe even make homemade cards.
•Play holiday games.
•Watch Christmas movies.
•Take a family photo every year.
•Build a gingerbread house.
•Go see Christmas lights.
•Donate toys or educational gifts.
•Donate food to a shelter or food bank.
•Donate your time.
•Have a tree trimming party.
•Donate gifts to a senior center.
•Have a book exchange.
•Read a classic Christmas story together.
•Start an advent tradition (anything from candy to wine).
•Bake cookies.
•Do a cookie exchange.
•Read or tell stories of Christmas past.
•Play Christmas music and create a holiday playlist.
•Make a time capsule.
•Write love notes.
•Write and read a family prayer.
•Create a Holiday bucket list.
•Do a garage sale gift exchange (give something you already have).
•Do something as a family to laugh together (skits, stories, games, jokes).
•Make Christmas crafts.
•Hang mistletoe.
•Start a Christmas diary.
•Decorate in different places (bedroom, bath, kitchen).
•Have a family pajama party with matching pajamas.
•Adopt a person that doesn’t have any family.
•Plant a tree.
•Go see a Christmas concert or Christmas play (think Morton Meyerson Symphony or A Christmas Carol).
Now I need to pick one and start this year, right?
If you would like to send Aunt B a question please email your question to news@ forneymessenger. com.
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