Do family traditions really strengthen the family bond?

Yes

1 of 2

by Pheori

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

When my family gets together for Christmas every year I know that I will be arriving late on Christmas Eve and going straight to the guest room to go to sleep. I know that I will wake up to discover a Christmas stocking filled with goodies that appeared near me somehow as if Santa had placed it there in the night (which hasn't grown old in more than 20 years). I know that I'll be awake at 6 AM with my Grandmother in the kitchen working hard on a huge Christmas dinner. I'll cut the veggies for the roast, I'll sift the flour for the biscuits, and I'll even get to mash the potatoes.

I expect to find in the living room our traditional "Christmas Twig"; two or three branches cut off the bush in my Grandmother's backyard and decorated with tiny lights and various homemade ornaments contributed from many grandchildren (including myself) over the years. I can count on the arrival of my Aunt and her family (the last to arrive) on Christmas morning at 10 AM immediately followed by a doling out of the presents and the excitement with seeing what everyone got.

We will have supper at 1:30 PM; Grandpa used to say the prayer over the meal but since his passing the tradition has passed to my father as the eldest son. After that we will sing Christmas carols as my Grandmother and I play the piano together; my family is very musical and we love to harmonize as we sing the traditional songs.

In the 31 years that I've been a part of this family the traditions we observe on Holidays haven't changed much. We see a new face here and there with my family members bringing their friends or significant others; but the traditions remain. Other than Holiday traditions, there are other traditions as well, such as the weekly visits to my Grandmother; we go play card games with her friends and have dinner on Thursday evenings.

The traditions are on my Father's side of the family; I'm sad to say that there are no such traditions on my mother's side. I enjoy a closer bond to my dad's side than I do my mom's side and I attribute it to the fact that there is a lack of tradition on her side. I would like to have better relationships with my aunts, uncles and cousins on that side, but I wouldn't know where to begin. Knowing how to interact with my family is one thing that having traditions has helped with.

Even when bringing a new face into the mix, such as my fiance, the traditions still remain. This actually helps him to understand his role much easier; he knows where he fits in because we have a designated spot for him. He has told me how much he enjoys the time spent with my family. I also enjoy his family traditions and I have become a part of them.

So, do family traditions strengthen the family bond? Absolutely. When I have children, they will know all of our family traditions and know that they have a place in our family where they will know they will always be accepted and loved.

Learn more about this author, Pheori.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.