By Bobbi
Holmes
Family Christmas traditions
are those holiday activities we repeat year after year. They are those
beloved moments that infuse the season with magical memories that children
remember long into adulthood, and pass onto their own children. Often they
cost little if any money, and they represent a family's spirit. A family
tradition doesn't have to be something passed down from a former generation,
it can begin with you. If you would like to add a new Christmas tradition to
your family, here are a few of my favorites.
1
Provide Christmas gifts for a
needy child or family each year. There are many local churches and
organizations that sponsor such programs. You don't have to actually find
the family or child. You can often choose an "angel" from a tree sponsored
by one of the organizations, which will list the child's age, gender and
gift preference. Involve the entire family in the shopping process,
including the kids.
2
Gather friends and family for
an Annual Christmas Sing Along or Carol. It may sound corny, but it can be a
lot of fun. After caroling the neighborhood, stop back at home for a round
of hot cocoa and cookies.
3
Surprise a neighbor or friend
as Santa. Once you have your own Santa suit, you can choose a new friend
each year to drop by on Christmas Eve. Don't forget to take your camera
along!
4
Make a gingerbread house.
Instead of gingerbread, build a house from graham crackers and a hot glue
gun. But let the kids decorate with frosting and Christmas candy. This is an
ideal tradition for a grandparent and grandchild.
5
Keep a Christmas Diary. Buy a
book with blank pages, or a scrapbook. Each Christmas Eve, have each family
member sit down and write their thoughts and memories of the past year. Even
very young children can participate, beginning with simple drawings. As the
years go by, you will treasure this book!
6
Choose a favorite meal to
serve on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve. Something special and unique,
that the family looks forward to each year.
7
Read a favorite Christmas
story. It might be the same story read each year, or a new story.
8
Develop your own tradition.
The best tradition is the one that the family creates together. Sit down and
discuss what type of holiday tradition you could all do together. It might
be a play, activity, craft, cooking, outing.....whatever works for your
family.