| It seems that around the holidays, we hear the same complaint sighed by our friends, family members, even the cashier at the grocery store—"The holidays have become too commercial." Yet, as you think back on your own childhood, lasting memories of the holidays often didn't come packaged in a box. They were created by the people you loved through traditional family dinners, events and customs. By continuing these rituals or creating new ones, you can give your family a present they'll cherish for a lifetime—memories of holidays spent with you. In today's busy world just about anything can become a Holiday Tradition. Whether it's serving turkey enchiladas on the day after Thanksgiving, hiding presents in the tree or taking a family walk with all of the dogs—if you do it from one year to the next it can be called a tradition. The first place to look is in your own family. It may surprise you to find that the beloved traditions practiced by your older relatives are easily adapted today. For example, if you find that your great aunt has a wonderful recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls, why not make them on Christmas morning? At the same time, it's important to know your family's likes and dislikes. If they're an active bunch, try a game of touch football before slicing into the Thanksgiving turkey. Remember: The beauty of a family tradition rests within the family—not the activity. There's no doubt that smells trigger memories. You've probably experienced the sensation of being transported back in time or reminded of a loved one with the waft of a certain scent. Since home cooking makes your house smell delicious, one of the best starting points for a family tradition is in the kitchen. While you may be inclined to tackle your Great, Great Grandmother's secret recipe for Czechoslovakian Kolache, don't get trapped into thinking that the recipe must be intricate to be worthwhile. In fact, by opening yourself to new influences and ideas, you may find a recipe that is more you. If you make knock-your-socks-off chili, maybe the perfect place to showcase it is on Christmas Eve. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a family with diverse origins, making a "world feast" a more suitable Thanksgiving dinner. The custom can even be as simple as preparing baked Alaska instead of pumpkin pie.The point is to make the meal mean something special to your family. Maybe cooking isn't your thing, but decorating is. You're in luck. This is one of the places where you can get the whole family involved and have a bunch of fun decking out the house for the holidays. Make the decorating a family affair—even youngsters can get involved by putting ornaments on the tree or setting out figurines. Combat the teen attitude by letting them pick their favorite holiday music to play as you decorate. Add some hot chocolate and you've got a Norman Rockwell moment in the making. Sometimes finding inspiration for a tradition means getting out of the house. Sledding on a particular hill or skating at a neighborhood pond might be perfect for your family. Driving with your family to see the Christmas lights every year can be a great way to spend holiday time together. Family traditions let you experience the holidays in your own unique ways. So whatever you choose to do have fun and make it yours. And get ready to create family memories that can't be purchased at any store. |
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© 2009 Ginnys
