Traditions Can Bring Your Family Closer!
Over the years, I have noticed that one of the key elements that bring families together to laugh, love, worship and communicate with one another are their long celebrated family traditions. Traditions can be fun and can also be the ice breakers for families that don't get to see each other often. I just want to visit a few that I have had in my family and also share some others. My hope is that you will consider your own family traditions and if you don't have any, well.....maybe this is the year to start at least one!
When I was little, Christmas Eve was always such a magical time in my family. My grandmother prepared a beautiful dinner for my dad, his brothers and all of their families. Each Christmas Eve the entire family met at the little church where we all attended. The church was small and beautifully decorated using only candle light. We would sit quietly in the pew until every member of the family had arrived. At that time we all softly made our way to the altar where we were served communion. After we had all had our time in contemplation and prayer we made our way to our grandma and grandpa's house where Santa had put gifts under the tree for my self and all of my cousins! We ate and even doing the dishes afterward was a time that was shared by all while good conversation took place.
Many families have adopted the "Elf on the Shelf" tradition. The Elf appears on Thanksgiving night and can be found entertaining himself in a new mischievous situation each morning when the kids wake up. If you have this tradition and your elf is finding himself bored, check out the internet for ideas for your elf to make your kids crack up! There are a ton of them out there.
Maybe you have seen the Christmas pickle ornaments out there. There are numerous stories about why the pickle became and ornament on the tree. Most claim that it came out of Germany. I have heard that it was a tradition that was begun out of poverty and lack of ornaments to hang on the tree. Others offer that it was hidden on the tree waiting to be found by a child who would receive an extra gift.
My sister has the tradition of icing Christmas sugar cookies with all of her family. She has them baked ahead of time and then a couple of weeks before Christmas they all come to her house and ice them. They get pretty creative and there isn't a one of us that doesn't look forward to those cookies!
I hope that you have a couple traditions in your family and if you don't it is never too late to start one. Traditions make for stronger families! Please share your tradition below!
Inspiring a well-lived home for the holidays,
Julie Atkins
Milkweed Farms