Family Traditions

I'm finding out the importance of family traditions now that my children are grown. The stories my children tell are of the traditions we had as they were growing up in our family. The value of the traditions continue when those traditions are carried out in their own families or blended with the traditions of each one's spouse's family. My daughter and her husband had a lengthly discussion as to what should be on top of the Christmas tree - an angel or a star. Each family was different. I had to laugh.
I came from a family where there wasn't a great deal of emphasis on those traditions. When my husband and I got married I let him know that it was important to me that we establish some traditions in our family. He came from a family steeped in tradition. As our family grew there was always room for flexibility in our traditions to match the needs and stage of life of our family. Some of those traditions are still intact today.
Children find security in traditions. It is something they can look forward to as they anticipate an event or holiday in life. We are able to enrich the lives of those in our family with the stories that become part of our family heritage by establishing traditions. A tradition doesn't have to be something that involves a great deal of expense. It can be a very simple thing, but one that is always there. Every family has their own and they are just right for that family. The following are just a few of our family traditions.

• Every year for the first day of school our children received a letter from us filled with hope and promises about the new school year along with the message that Jesus loved them more than we did.
• We have several Nativities throughout the house at Christmas. Jesus cannot be in the creche until Christmas. Our son delighted in trying to hide Jesus so that when Christmas came we would be in a panic looking for Him.
• Each family member was allowed to choose the menu for dinner on his/her birthday.
• If a family member cooks dinner, that family member does not have to clean up afterwards.
• On the last day of school we would take a trip to the bookstore by Grandma and Grandpa's house to buy books to read over the summer. This worked until the books were getting read before we got home from our little trip. We then became avid library patrons.
• There was never a schedule on a vacation.
• Every New Years Eve we would go to a hotel and spend the night with dear friends. The next morning, most years, we would go hiking at Starved Rock. It was great!
• We generally solved family issues by having a family meeting.
• Our best tradition is our faith. We love our Lord as a family. It is not just a tradition for us, but a way of life. I give thanks to God that we've been able to hand down our love for the Lord to both our children and grandchildren. Our parting words to our grandchildren are always, Love you. Jesus loves you even more!

These are just some of our family traditions. I would love to hear about yours and those you've taken from your growing up years and adopted for your own family.