Creating Holiday Memories and Traditions

This year, I am spending my first holiday season without mymom. While nothing will seem the same without her shining presence, I have thememories that have been created throughout my life to draw from and somewonderful traditions to carry on. In our family, holiday traditions were alwayspretty simple. New pajamas and one family present – usually a game – to open onChristmas Eve. Certain ornaments were put on the tree by certain people. I lovethese little things, and will continue to do them with my own children, but Iplan to add some more creative traditions with my own kids.

This year, I plan to make many of our holiday gifts andinvolve my boys in the process. Although they are still little, they can pourin ingredients, help stir cookie batter and add bows to the tins of candy. Asthey get older, I’ll give them bigger responsibilities in the kitchen, teachingthem the finer arts of baking and candy making as a part of our holidaycelebration.

Another tradition that I started with our middle son lastyear and plan on sharing with the baby this year is making ornaments. Rightnow, we’re cutting out simple shapes from construction paper and decoratingthem with glitter, but in a few years, I may start buying ornament kits forthem to make. This is something that I had done with the oldest for years,though as he’s hit the “cool teenager” phase, he lost interest somewhat.

Anything that you enjoy doing together can become awonderful holiday tradition, so be creative. Teach them a craft or share theduties of making a favorite family recipe for a special gathering or meal. Writeletters to Santa and find a way for Santa to write back. Every memory you makewill be special to them someday, so spend as much time with your children asyou can, making the holidays magical.

Even the silliest of traditions creates beautiful memorieswith your children. Believe me when I say that those memories will bring joy toyour family even long after you are gone. Choose something that you enjoy andshare it with your children this year and create a new tradition that will liveon in their hearts and memories for their entire lives.

Photo Credit: Lilla Coehlo (Flickr)

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5. How To Have A Family Holiday On A Budget