Mama Loves Family Traditions

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 | 0 comments

Family traditions are something special that you do together regularly at the same time in the same way to celebrate and appreciate life. They are something to look forward to, to get excited about and they add a certain magic to our lives.

I love traditions and in our family, the holiday traditions are some of our favorites.

Why do I love Family Traditions?

Family traditions bond the family together through giving each member a sense of identity and belonging. Doing a regular, special activity together gives each member a place in the family, a role, and something to look forward to doing.

It is through our traditions that our children really get to know where they come from.

It is during our traditions that we put our phones down and focus on what is really important.

It is during our traditions that we honor those that came before us.

How do you create Family Traditions?

Easy! Either continue on with the ones from either of your families or pick something special to you. What do you really appreciate? What do you like to celebrate? Then pick an activity that is related and do it each year at the same time!

We have a nice mix in our house of traditions that hubby and I did as children and a few new ones that we have started as adults.

Our 5 Favorite Family Traditions

Pie, Mimosas & Hot Chocolate for breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. We all put so much effort into the desserts for Thanksgiving, but we never have enough room left for them after the big meal. Considering my son’s first word was Pie (and we all love pie), a few years ago we decided that on Thanksgiving we would have Pie for breakfast!! Awesome!!
At the end of our Thanksgiving meal, I pass out plain ornaments and sharpie markers to each person. We all write the year, our name and one thing we are thankful for. We always buy our tree the day after Thanksgiving and decorate it the day after that. The first ornaments to be hung for that year are our Thankful Ornaments. We then have fun pulling out and reading the ones from years past.
Making holiday cookies and pies with Mimi. I’m not sure if I really like the cooking part of this or the eating part… but each year my mother makes amazing holiday cookies, used to be with my brother and I but now she makes them with my kids. Some of my fondest memories are of making these cookies with her and now I look forward to seeing my littles baking and frosting cookies with my mother in the warm kitchen, using recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Christmas Eve Present. I have always done this, everyone gets to pick a present from a family member on Christmas Eve and open it. Not only does every receive a little surprise, it is a fantastic time to talk about the true meaning of Christmas. So. Much. Fun. 😉
Waffle Sundaes for breakfast on your birthday. It is my own little way of showing each member of my family how special they are to me. I make my special homemade hot fudge sauce and am quite generous with it on top of some ice cream and a waffle to give them a sweet start to their big day!

What are your favorite family traditions?

Malibu Mama Loves Xx