I’ve always loved our Christmas traditions, but in the past, instead of using them as a framework for celebration, I used them to measure the value of Christmas — how “perfect” our family’s holiday looked to others. Months later, as Christmas approached, we prepared for a new tradition. “Traditions That Fit Your Family,” “Over-the-Top Presents,”  “Symbols of Christmas,” “The Stocking Tradition,” and “Neighborhood Nativity” appeared in Focus on the Family magazine or Thriving Family magazine in the December issue that corresponds with their copyright date. Daily Connection Traditions are the small things you do every day to reinforce family identity and values. Have you ever asked that question? Old family traditions often serve to connect the older generation with the new generation, encouraging interaction through shared activities, and can also offer a way for families separated by distance to feel close. $5 Million Match! Many children learn the history of their families in this way, listening as family members share memories of those who are no longer with them and of their own childhood remembrances. Instead of choosing a Christmas service project for the family, my husband and I allowed our children to pick someone or an organization to bless, such as Samaritan’s Purse or The Salvation Army. We are sorry that this was not useful for you! They earned money doing odd jobs or recycling to pay for their personal project. Consider relating biblical symbolism and stories to items you use while decorating the tree. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Yes, I will give families hope this Christmas! Gifts for the needy. Yet the moments of laughter and sharing helped us keep God in our celebration. Family Tradition Restaurant. Filling your stockings with fruit, chocolate and gold coins … Often the foods served at the meal are determined by tradition, with recipes passed down from generation to generation or specific family members preparing their specialties year after year. God loves me all the time!”, James pulled a toy car out of his stocking and said, “God goes with me in our car.”. I thought the kids would be disappointed, but they had a more exciting time watching me paint the remaining dolls. Our daughter Darlene’s fiancée joined in our Christmas stocking tradition. Every winter, hunker down and bust out a family favorite chapter book — The Hobbit, Harry Potter... Give … Over the years, we kept the tradition, and as the children grew, the comments changed, adding more depth. Another, we used a coded number system on the gift tags. Others are built upon meaningful, often symbolic, rituals marking the milestones along the path to maturity. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I grabbed my Bible, flipped the pages and started reading about Elizabeth and Zechariah. However, as different as these cultures may be, the foundation of these celebrations is the gathering together of families to feast, to share food, to break bread.There are many old family traditions designed specifically to celebrate the new generation. Sometimes my kids spent weeks hunting for the perfect ornament that represented something from the past year. Food is essential to survival, and being grateful for the success of its production, whether through agriculture or the hunt, is at the base of not only many old family traditions, but also many of the world's ancient religions. Protect them as they protect us. My oldest shared his telescope with his siblings, who took turns searching for the brightest star. “Toddler-Free Tree,” “Christmas Stargazing” and “An Unfinished Present” first appeared in the December 2020 / January 2021 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. In each, it is the older generation celebrating the progress of the new generation, as one day that generation will do for its own children.Even when cannot gather together, which is increasingly common today as families find their members scattered throughout the nation and even the world, old family traditions can help to maintain family ties. 32 Small Traditions to Start With Your Family Tell A Story Every Night. As I did, I asked myself the following three questions: My husband and I give our Christmas presents in different ways each year. One way to do this is through enjoying family activities and traditions together. Yes, double my gift to save twice the lives this Christmas! We wanted the tree to be a symbol of the peace of Christ, so we made sure our interactions with the toddlers were peaceful. All rights reserved. Ideally, they should build up family members, focus on what Jesus did or model His love. Christmas tree. Speaking of blasting the carols, everyone in the family should have a say … Becky held up a watch and said, “Look, my watch tells time. So be sure to incorporate some rituals that bring you together face-to-face and allow you to re-connect each day. Yes Day. Instead of buying ornaments for each child, I gave my kids a budget and let them purchase their own ornaments. We shared with our children how we wanted them to be filled with joy and that we had a new surprise in store for that year. Afterward, we hosted a decorating party that included hot chocolate and treats. Regardless, these activities are meant to help people of all ages enjoy each other and the season. Instead of an exclusive family trip to the Christmas tree lot, we let our kids invite friends to traipse along to choose our tree. We did not want our children to get caught up in material things. Darlene exclaimed, “I can hardly wait until we have children and celebrate this custom with our own family.”. Celebrating the abundance of the harvest is done throughout the world, with each culture giving rise to a particular set of old family traditions. “God’s people waited for Him, and in Advent we’re waiting, too. Remembering that experience has helped take the pressure off of having the “perfect” Christmas experience. I love sharing a favorite Christmas tradition from my childhood with my own children — a neighborhood Nativity play. Again, keeping it simple like folks from the old days can help youngsters really focus on the more important aspects of the holiday. They might be passed down from ancestors or made up on the spur of the moment. On Christmas Day, holding our stockings filled with fruits and treasures, we gathered around the tree. I read where Elizabeth’s unborn baby leapt in her womb as she greeted Mary, pregnant with Jesus, and my own heart leapt with an idea. My husband and I put unbreakable ornaments on the tree when our kids were toddlers. Christmas cards and letters. We named it the Christmas Star, took turns admiring its beauty and talked about the star at Jesus’ birth. I remember laughing after the fourth banana was pulled from a stocking. Amen Participating in the old family traditions builds memories that will last a lifetime, and serves to build , not only between the old and new generations, but also amongst those that will be continuing the families as the elder members pass away. Tree until the night before » traditions: old and new Ways celebrate! Laughing after the fourth banana was pulled from a stocking I tried to sets. 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