Around this time of year, as the holiday season kicks into high gear I am always warmed by the memories from my own childhood. My mother has always loved the Christmas season, if you could see her place from about late November on you would find countless decorations from pictures, to candle holders, to ceramics she has painted, all depicting holiday and winter scenes. She used to bake a ton of cookies throughout the holidays as well, she doesn’t do that as much any more, but when ever I smell fresh baking I am reminded of what my childhood home always smelt like throughout the holiday season.

It seems to me that the holidays quite often bring up joyful and warm memories for people. Memories of the family getting together and celebrating, of large home cooked meals with all the trimmings, of laughter, and many others too numerous to mention. Those memories that warm our hearts also drive us to help our children create similar wonderful memories, and so traditions are shared and passed down.

I grew up in Canada, so thanksgiving was always much earlier in the year and had its own set of memories, followed a couple of months later by Christmas. Now that I live here in the US Thanksgiving and Christmas sort of combine to make one long holiday season, which has made my memories of what used to be two very separate celebrations into one. I have witnessed how families begin getting together to share the holidays at Thanksgiving and just seem to continue those family gathering right through Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa, and the New Year. It is nice to see.

The importance of families in our fast paced society can at times be questioned, but during the holiday season all questions seem to disappear and the importance of family is very apparent.

  • Include your children in the family celebrations, and passing down traditions are a very important part of those holiday get togethers. Here are a few things you can do to make sure the kids are included and sharing in the family’s traditions while building memories of their own to pass down.
  • Include the kids in the preparation of the meal. If they are too young to help invite them to join you in the kitchen so they can see what takes place, and how everyone is contributing. If they are old enough give them a task, maybe peeling the potatoes, or helping to make cookies.
  • Talk to them about the traditions, how they started, who plays what role, and why you like those traditions. They are more likely to enjoy the traditions and understand their importance if they know a little more about them.
  • If playing football together in the backyard or taking a family hike in the woods near your home are part of the family get together, be sure include the kids, even if only for a little bit. It will make them feel a part of the celebrations.

The important thing to remember is to just include the kids in all aspects of the celebrations. They will remember these early family gatherings and the role they played forever. Those memories will help them carry on the family’s traditions, and build on them with their own family when they grow up. How I celebrate the holidays and my love of this season is a direct result of the wonderful holiday memories I have from my childhood.

What things did you love about the holidays when you were little? What things do you know do with your kids that you remember your parents doing with you?