New Holiday Traditions

(November 2011) – We all have favorite holiday traditions, but there’s always room for more – especially when they promote togetherness, appreciation, and the spirit of giving. Here are some great ideas to start a whole new family tradition:

• Take a walk in a winter wonderland: Take in all of the sights and sounds of the season by taking an afternoon stroll. It’ll not only give the metabolism a little boost after all of those holiday treats, but it will also give you a chance to spend some quiet, quality time together.

• Introduce your own year-end awards: Host a first annual awards ceremony that recognizes everyone in the family’s contributions and good work throughout the year. Whether silly certificates for being the best at making up funny songs or more chore-related, like being the best at unloading the dishwasher, a little acknowledgement goes a long way in reinforcing good behavior.

• Video essays: Take this time as a family to create a video time capsule. Have everyone record a video segment with a special memory from the previous year, a message for another family member, or even answers to a list of fun questions. Sounds easy, right? The hard part is making sure no one watches until at least next holiday season.

• Emphasis on the giving: As everyone plans for all the great gifts they’ll be giving, set aside some time to go through your closet, pantry, and other areas of the house to collect items that could be donated. It’s also a great time for kids to clean out their toy boxes and donate unused items to children in need.