the “Master List” of family tradition. from the "An Oregon Cottage" webpage. There are some great ideas here! If you need inspiration to start new traditions for your family, this is it. If you’re not sure why you should have traditions, make sure to read this to remind yourself why they are important. If you’d like to add a tradition to the list, just do so in the comments section. Daily Traditions Eat dinner together Hold hands when your family says the blessing Light candles on the table every night, or at least in the winter Try turning off all the lights and eating only by candlelight during the winter Read aloud classic books the half hour before bedtime (start when they’re young and keep going- thknk “Little House On The Prairie” all the way up to “Lord of The Rings.”) Weekly Traditions Have a “cleaning night” and play music loud while everybody does their job- end with an ice cream reward. "one song long tasks, and everyone tries to finish their own task while the song plays. Saturday (or Friday) At the Movies- make it the only time it’s OK to eat in front of the TV. Work through a genre of movies on the movie night (musicals, westerns, old Disney, etc.) Make one night always the same meal- like Saturdays are always pizza Saturday morning sweet cereal (the only time sweet cereal is allowed…) Saturday morning big breakfasts (pull out all the stops with pancakes, eggs, etc.) Have tea with sandwiches and cookies on Sunday afternoons- make sure to bring out the teapots and pretty cups and saucers Friday (or Saturday) date night- kids get a sitter and frozen pizza Have breakfast for dinner Early (6am!) grocery shop “Pioneer Night” (monthly)- turn off everything and eat, play games, and read only by candlelight Yearly Traditions Pick apples in the fall and make juice, applesauce, or just eat… Get donuts on the first day of the school year Take a picture by the door on the first day of school Have a big family birthday party (and just a small friend one…) Stay/camp in the same place each year with extended family Have a weekend snow trip Summer road trips with a trailer or tent camping Ice cream/treat/breakfast out for good grades Celebrate end of a good school year with special dinner out and a movie Camp in the summer Take a hike during the first cold rain with dad- mom has popcorn and cocoa waiting Holiday Traditions Thanksgiving “thankful tree” or basket Decorate for Christmas the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving Special Christmas Eve presents: pajamas & slippers; ornaments; crayons and coloring book; book Cut Christmas tree- include cocoa and a snowball fight Really celebrate advent by reading a book or verses and counting down Holiday show or movie Make and decorate cookies (candies, gingerbread houses or men, etc.) Use stamps, glitter, and stickers to make gift wrap, cards, etc. with the kids Have special holiday meals (i.e., Christmas Eve is always Fish and Chips) Don’t put gifts under the tree until Christmas Eve Only give three gifts on Christmas to represent the gifts from the wise men Attend Christmas Eve services Watch a special movie on Christmas Eve (“A Christmas Carol,” “White Christmas,” etc.) Make an “Easter Tree” with pussy willow branches and wooden eggs & small rabbits When The Kids Are Older Siblings take mom to lunch/dinner once a month Meet for lunch once a week/month with grown children Make one day “Mom Cooks” day where grown children and families know they can come for dinner (every Sunday afternoon, Thursday night, etc.)
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 20:35:11 +0000
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