#Holiday #Prep Tip #6: Keep Those Family Traditions Even When There Is No Family Around
When my kids were growing up, we created quite a few family holiday traditions that became annual delights. Just because the kids are grown and gone doesn’t mean treasured traditions need to be gone too.
This post is part of the Unwrap Your Memories Campaign for Destiny USA
Some of our family’s most cherished Christmas memories included making special holiday meals, baking cookie trays that were ding-dong ditched on unassuming porches, watching holiday movies, reading holiday stories, adopting Secret Santa families, and visiting Christmas light displays.
Another great tradition when my children were growing up was having a friend day to decorate gingerbread boys and girls. I started this tradition when my oldest was in kindergarten. Christmas fell late on the calendar that year and there was an extra long time between school getting out and Christmas day. Her excitement level anticipating Christmas was high. I realized I needed to come up with something to harness her excitement and keep me sane. Thus, the idea of a gingerbread party was born. My daughter invited three friends to come over for a couple of hours. Before they arrived, I had baked a batch of gingerbread boys and girls and made some frosting. I also put together a tray of all sorts of candies for the kids to use in decorating their cookies: chocolate chips, red hots, marshmallows, sprinkles, M&M’s, and red licorice string.
Each child had six gingerbread cookies to decorate. I loved watching their enthusiasm as they created their masterpieces. Whatever candy toppings didn’t make it on their cookies, got put in their mouths. When they finished their decorating, they got to eat their favorite cookie and sip some hot chocolate. We packaged up the rest of the cookies on holiday plates so that each child could take home what they made to share with their families. After the gingerbread decorating, I led the kids in a couple of Christmas themed games before they got picked up. The other moms appreciated the time to get a few last minute holiday errands done in peace and I enjoyed sponsoring an activity that centered on the children’s’ wonder and awe of the season.
We continued this tradition for several years. As my other children got older, I allowed each of them to invite one special friend for the gingerbread baking day. It was such a fun way to help count down the days to Christmas and truly became one of our favorite holiday memories.
Now that I have grandchildren, I have thought how fun it would be to reincarnate this tradition. Unfortunately, my grandsons live hundreds of miles away. Since we aren’t spending the holidays with them this year, I wouldn’t be able to help them observe this fun activity. But just because my family wasn’t around didn’t have to mean I had to put the gingerbread making on hold. Why couldn’t I carry out this activity with other kids?
I contacted a little family from church that I have developed a relationship with this past year and offered to watch the three children ages 7,6, and 2. The mom was especially appreciative because her husband was away on business and getting away on her own was a luxury. I arrived at their house with my bag filled of gingerbread boys and girls, frosting, and my tray of decorating candies.
When everything was cleaned up, I read them Christmas stories (I brought some of my kids’ favorite books) and then we played games until their mom came home. It was a great afternoon. I gave a young mom a much needed break and I got my “Grammie fix.” Merry Christmas everyone.
Don't let those family traditions fade just because there is no family around. Keep them merry and bright and create new memories by sharing them with others.
What are some of your favorite family holiday traditions that you remember?
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