(ARA) - Holidays are a great time to celebrate traditions with family and friends, and every family has unique activities they love to observe year after year. You can incorporate new traditions into the holidays to bring more memorable fun to your gatherings. Here are some simple tips for creating meaningful new traditions that can bring joy to your holidays every year.
* Organize a visit from Santa. Encourage your family or friends to come over for a potluck breakfast or lunch. As the festivities get into full swing, invite Santa to join in the fun. Organize goodie bags for children to take home from Santa. Don't forget to have a camera on hand to capture the children's special moments.
* Build a gingerbread house with your family. Roll up your sleeves, start your oven and put your architecture skills to the test. Decorate the house with each family member's favorite candies in all colors. Adorn the lawn with Gingerbread Men, which can be easily decorated with icing and candy buttons.
* Draw names and trade inexpensive gifts. You can turn this into a secret Santa exchange, or for a little more fun and hilarity, turn the exchange into a white elephant party, where participants are allowed to "steal" inexpensive gifts from one another. Your party doesn't have to only involve your local friends and family. Invite your friends from all over the country to participate in a gift exchange via Skype or email - it's a great way to have something fun pop up in your mailbox over the holiday season.
* Cookies are a part of many holiday traditions. In fact, a recent holiday survey conducted by Archway found that cookies are a part of more than 80 percent of respondents' traditions each year. Incorporate cookies into new traditions by hosting a cookie exchange with your coworkers, neighbors, family members or friends.
* Give back to your community. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Sing holiday carols in nursing homes and senior centers. Organize a food drive for your local food bank. Have young children go through their toys and pick one or two to donate to a local shelter. This will help children participate in the joy of giving. There are a lot of ways you and your family can help others. You might decide to do the same thing each year or come up with new ways to give back.
* Create a video or online photo album. This tradition is especially poignant for families with loved ones who are away for the season and unable to attend the family celebrations (for example, families with someone in the military). Set up a video camera and have everyone share a message for the absent loved one. Take lots of photos during your holiday celebrations and create a photo album online that can be accessed by those who are not present.
Traditions help provide connection and predictability, which people - especially children - crave. And they're a lot of fun. Just remember that whatever you decide to do, be sure to add your own flair and creativity to make the tradition truly one to remember.
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