Guest post from Elizabeth of ElizabethClareblog.com:
As parents and grandparents, we want to celebrate holidays and other occasions in memorable ways for our children and grandchildren. Observing traditions year after year serves as an anchor for their yearly rhythm, and ultimately, their memories.
Unfortunately, when we think of traditions, we often envision something elaborate, time consuming, and expensive. But the simplest traditions can be the most meaningful and the source of your child's richest memories.
Consider the following five points when weaving traditions into your family's lives. My hope is that they will help you keep them simple, meaningful, and memorable!
1. Simplicity
We adults can take a lesson from our children and remember how joy is found in the simple pleasures of life. Trying to cram too much symbolism or significance into any occasion can leave us feeling more emotionally empty than full.
Children sense when mother is stressed, taking away from the festive, loving atmosphere we are trying to create. When a tradition is simple, it will be something to look forward to every year not dread.
2. Food
Food is a way we all celebrate special occasions. Even the most meager fare served with love can bring warmth to any occasion.
It often isn't what we serve so much as how we serve it. Saving particular dishes, not necessarily expensive, to eat only during particular celebrations will bring excitement to the occasion. For example, homemade cinnamon rolls don't cost much to make, but serving them only on birthdays makes them extra special!
3. Activities
We don't need to travel far or spend large amounts of money on excursions to make special moments.
As a child, due to my parents' work, we almost never traveled. However, I do remember enjoying lots of picnics at local parks. Children love doing something out of the ordinary - even a local outing can be an adventure!
4. Stories
Great memories can be created around stories - imagined stories, stories from your family history, or a favorite book you read over and over again.
My family loves to pull out the box of Advent and Christmas books at the beginning of every December. I have wonderful childhood memories of being read to and hearing stories. Some of my favorites were stories my parents told of their childhood. These stories become a part of you, build a family heritage, and strengthen relationships.
5. Relationships
Above all, focus on building your relationships with your family. Remember why you want to make the occasion special.
If celebrating a particular tradition brings stress because it is too much work or is too expensive, you are not focusing on the ultimate goal.
I hope these tips and ideas will help you and your family celebrate traditions that are simple, stress-free, frugal, and memorable!
Elizabeth is a dairy farmer's daughter, devoted wife, and homeschooling mother to four little blessings. She blogs about homeschooling, faith, homemaking, and self improvement all through a Catholic lens. Find her at ElizabethClareblog.com.
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