31 Days of Intentional Parenting: {Day 16} Holiday Traditions

Holiday traditions are often the glue in a family. Unfortunately, the holidays (and our sense of tradition and perfectionism) can sometimes bring unnecessary stress into our lives. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Not if we remember WHY we are celebrating the holiday and WHAT we really hope to achieve in our family through the traditions. Some traditions, if they bring unnecessary baggage and grief, are best thrown out! So be intentional when choosing what traditions and holidays you will take on in your own family. Leave room for adaptations, entirely new traditions and even stripped down or canceled traditions.

For where your treasure is; there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34

9 Simple Holiday Tradition Ideas

Take everyone out for Ice Cream on the first day of summer

Fly a Kite on National Kite Day (June 15th)

Volunteer at a Veterans home for 4th of July or Memorial Day

Turn your family member’s birthday into a Family Holiday

On Easter morning have your family hunt for their Easter basket in the house!

Make Homemade Valentines for Valentine’s Day

Collect gifts of service for Jesus under your Christmas tree and read them Christmas morning

Dress up with your kids for Halloween—-go a step further and let them decide what you will be!

Celebrate a birthday year the same way for each family member. In our family we celebrate the 1st birthday as a family only affair where Mom makes the birthday cake. The 2nd birthday party is the first year friends are invited and we have a Carnival themed party.

Resources:

Putting God back in the holidays: Celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays and 12 other special occasions with purpose. By Bill Thrasher

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