I am a traditional kind of girl. I love traditional, even historical homes. I dress in a fairly classic style. I have a traditional house in the country with a husband, two kids and a dog (all that is missing is the picket fence, and I have a picture of one I'd love to throw up!).
My husband often jokingly tells me I was born at least fifty years too late and probably on the wrong side of the country. I love the idea of big close-knit families that live in a house with a name that gets passed down through the generations. I aspire to one day have a home with a name that my kids will love so much that when I die they will just move in and not sell it to the highest bidder!
And I love heirlooms. I love the history of knowing something has been in the family for generations. Really, I just love history. Personal history. I don't have enough of that in my home.
But most of all I love family traditions. We didn't carry too many into our family when we married, but we have created several of our own. Traditionally, at Christmas time, our family does the 25 days of Christmas. We do something festive every day in December leading up to Christmas, ending with a formal, grand, candlelit dinner on Christmas Eve (With our heirloom silverware). And we watch a Christmas movie every night.
At Easter, the Easter bunny ALWAYS leaves a treasure hunt that leads to the baskets of goodies, with riddles and rhyming clues to show the way.
Traditionally on my birthday Rob has been out of town, so I started one of my favorite traditions--shopping for myself at Banana Republic in a major way for my birthday.
Every summer we all travel to Bear Lake, Idaho for Rob's family reunion. His Grandmother lives there. This is the first year in the eleven years we've been married that we didn't go. I am a little sad, because the girls so look forward to it--and I get a lot of great pictures. There is something about going to grandma's house during the summer that makes me nostalgic--which is funny, because I never went to my grandma's for the summer. One died before I was born and the other when I was young, and I never knew her well.
Traditionally, I take the girls to stay with my parents and Rob's parents for a week or two every summer. We are taking that trip next week and the girls can't wait. Our visit also usually falls on my niece's birthday and, since she is the same age as my oldest, this makes it extra fun for the girls.
Traditionally, on our anniversary, we go out to dinner and go shopping. I know, going on a date should be at least a monthly tradition, not a yearly one. I am working on it. But we had a great time none-the-less. Maybe one of these years I will say, "Traditionally we take a fabulous vacation on our anniversary." One can at least hope.
We have a few others, but I would love to add more. I really appreciate the comfort and expectation that traditions bring. It makes things feel stable and organized and happy. It connects us to each other, to our parents, grandparents, and children, and becomes "what our family does."
So I am wondering, are you a traditional kind of person? And if so, what are some of your family traditions?
6 comments:
I get the "born 50 years too early" comment about myself all the time too!
There truly is something calm and connecting about traditions. I grew up without a lot, and so I've tried to instill a lot in my kids. What's funny is to ask your KIDS what they think your family traditions are---I never thought that mine considered getting blizzards after piano lessons a tradition, or pancakes on Sunday morning, or getting paper cones full of goodies on the first day---but they look forward to those. I love sitting down to read to them every night---that's the one tradition I'll never give up :)!
Love your ideas! Sorry you missed your Bear Lake trip though. Next year!
Sounds like your family has developed some wonderful traditions. Like you, I too feel that traditions are such an important part of family life, so important in fact, that I created website so people can share their traditions with others. I would love if you check it out and add some of your most cherished traditions so others can be inspired too.
Colleen Carmona
Creator, Cafe Traditions
www.cafetraditions.com
Oh yes, I was born way too early and yes, I am very traditional. My parents live close by so the kids get to see them alot which is nice for all of us. My in-laws live in other states and we see them occasionally but not at fun locales. For Christmas, we have a Birthday Party for Jesus after attending church on Christmas Eve. We eat pizza, have cake and sing Happy Birthday. We don't do the Easter Bunny, but we do hide eggs and the kids get a basket with a present and chocolate. I want to try to start other traditions so as the holidays near it will be fun to see what other people do. Great post. I think we are kindred spirits.
I love the idea of creating traditions...but never grew up with any, and don't seem to have the imagination, or even the brain power to start one, and keep it going...altough I have to say, we do play a prank on the kids every St Pats day...I think that's pretty cook..
I wish we had more. We have the usual bedtime books and pancakes on Saturday morning, but other than that, our family is still young and hopefully we will be creating more and more every year. Your thoughts are always an inspiration to me. Thanks!
Hey Jenni,
I found your blog through Jennifer P.'s.
I'm with you about being born 50 years too early...I love the idea of traditions and a simpler time.
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