Every time I hear the word “traditions” I start singing the song with the same name from Fiddler on the Roof. Not out loud mind you, because NO ONE wants to hear that (just ask my kids). But that was the only word I knew in the whole song. So, I looked up the rest of the lyrics as I was thinking about traditions. Here are a few other lines:
“Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years.”
“You may ask, why did this tradition get started? I&’ll tell you why – I don’t know.”
“Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as, as … as a fiddler on the roof!”
My family has more than its share of traditions. Here are a few favorites:
*A special Valentine meal on February 14 th which includes heart shaped Jello Jigglers and a heart shaped
chocolate mousse for dessert.
*An all-green meal for St. Patrick’s Day with a rainbow fruit tray including chocolate gold coins at the
end.
*A decorated door with balloons and streamers on birthdays.
*Resurrection Rolls on Easter morning.
However, when it comes to traditions, Christmas makes the rest of the year look bleak. It starts with special treats of White Chocolate Popcorn and Puppy chow after we finish setting up the tree. We then turn off all the lights and listen to “All is Well” by Point of Grace. And the season ends with a crazy stocking ‘Event” where we have games, escape rooms, riddles and scavenger hunts for the kids to find their Christmas stockings. A highlight for me is always reading the Christmas story and having prayer before we open presents on Christmas Eve. I am reminded every year of the blessing of Immanuel during this time!
A new favorite tradition is Christmas Light Bingo. We pack everyone in the car and drive around looking at neighborhood Christmas lights. Each occupant has a Christmas bingo sheet except for the driver and they are just out of luck. They mark off a square when they see that particular Christmas display, like a Rudolph for instance. We have a Progressive dinner along the way stopping for drinks, an appetizer, main dish, and finally dessert – all at different places. There are of course prizes for the Bingos and a final blackout. (The prizes may be why it is a favorite of my big kids.) It is a must to fill in every single square. In fact, we may have gotten a little car sick a time or two while driving around one too many cul-de-sacs to get that final space filled in.
I went to Facebook to ask others about some of their favorite traditions. Here are a few that were given:
*Elf Night – with spaghetti, pop tarts, mini syrups, candy etc.
*Baking Day with all new recipes
*Gingerbread house decorating
*”Twas the Night before Christmas” and “Room for Little One” read on Christmas Eve
*Hot Chocolate & Walking around Sar Ko Par Park
*Making and delivering Christmas cards to assisted living and nursing homes.
*Lasagna after Christmas Eve Service
*One gift of a game opened on Christmas Eve
*Santa Pancakes or Christmas Tree cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning breakfast
*One hidden gift for each person who must go on a scavenger hunt to find
*Placing Candy canes on the cars at an ER/hospital on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
*Adopting a family to share gifts or food with.
*Having a Birthday Cake for Jesus. Singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles.
Whether or not you already have some traditions of your own, I would encourage you to try out a new one this year! Even if it is just a small one. One thing is for sure, starting and honoring traditions will make a significant impact on you and your family. There is something special about the memories made from traditions. We may not always remember what started a tradition, as the line in the song goes. But we continue practicing them because they are meaningful. In a crazy and changing world, it is something we can count on and look forward to. Something that brings stability, so we are not as shaky as a fiddler on the roof :).
I asked myself why we have so many traditions and why they are so important to me. And for me it is about connection. There are few things more important to me than creating bonds with my family members. Our traditions create opportunities for those connections better than anything else. The
cyclical investment of time, resources, and talent (or maybe lack of talent) demonstrates love in a beautiful way that is special for you and those that are a part of your traditions. Even if they do not always show it, I guarantee that they value your traditions as well. I certainly hear about it from my kids
if one of ours is skipped or missed for one reason or another.
Merry Christmas!
Melodie Williams
