by Cynthia Grant

Created on: November 24, 2009

Family and traditions have gone hand in hand with each other forever. All families have their own and some traditions are shared with people all over the world. As we grow older and have our own families and blend with our in-laws and their families some traditions have to stay and some will have to go. It is a delicate balance sometimes. You have to be respectful of other family members as well as not offending them. Involve everyone in the decision when coming up with new traditions. Include the children of the family too. Good ideas can come from anyone. The main goal should always be family togetherness and everyone getting along. New traditions are only going to work if everyone likes the idea and is in agreement.

I have been the main supporter of starting new traditions in our family. I have come up with three of them over the years, but my favorite is what we now do for Christmas. About five years ago I decided for Christmas that I would make a birthday cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I didn't think my young girls at the time were getting the true meaning of the holiday. So for dessert on Christmas day we light candles on the cake and sing Happy Birthday and celebrate like we are having a birthday party. I feel it brings up the real reason for Christmas and everyone enjoys some cake and ice cream. It is something different than the usual pie and cookies that we just had for Thanksgiving a month earlier.

I have my own tradition that I started just for myself two years ago which involves family members as well as friends. During November I choose two people that are in my life that I send cards or emails to. I express thanks and gratitude to them in these cards and letters. It lets them know how grateful I am to have them in my life. I will be handing this tradition down to my daughters and hopefully they will continue with it as they get older.

Family traditions are our legacy. Our parents, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will take these traditions with them through life and hopefully pass them on to the next generation and so on. So, come up with new traditions to share and enjoy the old traditions as you spend time together celebrating as a family.

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