Family Traditions
I am a pretty traditional gal. I love to have an echo of years past in the things that I do in the present. For example, we trim our tree every year with an ornament that is bought to represent something about each family member — a characteristic of theirs, a trait, a desire, or a personality quirk. Our tree is filled with memories of the past years spent trimming the tree and enjoying our ornaments. Last year Granny Hooah and I picked out a huge majestic crown for Bryan. I will let Mr. Hooah tell you why that was chosen!
I was in the kitchen a few minutes ago chopping onions, bell peppers, and sweet ham to put on our pizza tonight. I try and do a pizza night at least once a week. Sometimes it is ordered, but the family loves it when I make homemade pizza — or better yet, custom made Stromboli! This weekend I have a couple of batches of cookies to make and ready for shipping. One to send to Mike, and another batch to go an online friend’s son who is also serving. This is a newer tradition for me that will remain as long as we are at war.
What kinds of traditions do you and your family hold? Are they traditions that have been with you for many generations, or new ones? If they are old traditions, where did the start and why? If they are new, what prompted you to begin it, or was it a happenstance? Do you have weekly traditions? Monthly? How about Seasonal?
Here are some good Spring traditions that I look forward to sharing with my daughter as she gets older:
- Making strawberry preserves and small loaves of bread to hand out to friends and family
- Making a pretty Spring wreath to hang on the door
- Getting a new Spring hair cut, and topping it off with a new outfit for the season
- Spring cleaning and changing out the warm scented candles from winter to light and airy ones for the warm months
- Getting new pictures made
Uh, traditions? Like me going to 3 Dog Bakery on my way home from the psychologist’s office? Or like the fact that my family has Mexican food for Christmas Eve dinner? I think you mean more of the latter. I can’t really think of any right off hand. Well, other than that particualr one. I’m sure my husband and I have some, but we’re changing so much through this current deployment, that I think we will need to figure out some new traditions when he gets back. Luckily, we are both very flexible in that department.
What kinds of traditions do you and your family hold? We have family night each week, we either watch a movie with popped popcorn or play a game. We are teaching the kids’ poker and card games. Are they traditions that have been with you for many generations, or new ones? This is one I started for quality family time hoping they would enjoy it as much as we would. Plus hopefully they can carry it on with their families. If they are old traditions, where did the start and why? If they are new, what prompted you to begin it, or was it a happenstance? See above for explanation Do you have weekly traditions? Again see above Monthly? Try to take each of my girls’ out alone with me even if I can only do it once a month to have “mommy” time How about Seasonal? Ohh we have lots of seasonal ones. we get new ornaments for the tree every year….found a great UT one I am getting Katie this year. We bake sugar cookies and make their Grrlaine’s fudge every year. We cook Thanksgiving togehter and choose the menu together weeks before. We also go around the table and say whay we are thankful for. We have an annual St. Patrick’s day celebration with all the trimmings.
Butterfly Wife: I think the first could easily be a personal tradition. I used to have a “tradition” of getting a special coffee on my way to work in the mornings when I was a single mom. It was my very own special treat that I didn’t have to share! :) Now, I love the second tradition! I have never had Mexican food on Christmas Eve! Do you all make the Mexican Hot Chocolate? Mmmm!
Heather those are great traditions! I bet you that your own kids will carry some of these traditions over into their own families! :) Are you a UT fan? If so, is it UT as in Texas, or UT as in Tennessee?