Family Traditions For All Occasions

by: Cara Lee in Utah

TRADITIONS


"If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father to His righteous children.

"Our family activities and traditions can be a beacon to the rest of the world as an example of how we should live to merit His choice blessings and live in peace and harmony until the day that He returns to rule and reign over us."
(Elder L. Tom Perry, "Family Traditions," General Conference April 1990)


Back To School


One thing we use to do when our kids were smaller and before we started home schooling was really neat. I guess we could and should still continue to do it, because the kids really liked it, and I don't think they would ever really be too young for it.

The Monday before school started we would hold a special FHE. It would be a "Back to School Carnival." We would set up all kinds of games and activities. Face painting, horseshoe toss, bean bag toss, etc, whatever was age appropriate for the family. The next to last thing we would have a special story time. It would be a scripture story, and we would try to key it into going to school and fathers blessings. Then dad would give each child a father's blessing to start out the year right. It was really a neat thing, and we should really start it up again. (Terry)

"It's not unusual to wear new clothes specially purchased for the first day of school, but in our family mom stored them in a box labeled DO NOT OPEN UNTIL with the date of the day before school. In addition to the clothes, which we knew about, she always included some things we didn't know about. Sometimes it was a lunch box, back pack, special binder, pen or something useful for school and something humorous or personal that she had composed for the occasion. This made us look forward to the first day of school each year and is a tradition I intend to continue when I have children of my own."

Baptism Traditions

 
Finally, I am starting a tradition next year with my 7 year old's baptism. I am going to have him write down his testimony and then frame it in a double-frame with his 8 year old picture. This will be displayed at our home following his baptism and confirmation, and he'll then receive a Book of Mormon in which I have had every person attending his baptism sign. (Ann H.)


Bedtime Traditions


One thing that we have done is sing songs each night before prayers. It helps to get us in the mood, and now my kids can sing a lot of the primary songs.
(Che’rie)


A Rock-a-bye Ritual. Each night I rock my two year old to sleep. I hold him facing me, his head resting on a "twinkle star" pillow on my left shoulder. He turns his face toward me and I rest my cheek on his. If I try to lift my head, his little hand reaches up and pulls my face toward him. Once in the right position, we sing the songs he’s heard since he was a baby. We begin with
"Kookabura", continue with "Shenandoah", and end with "Rock-a bye Levi". Neither of us wants to grow up. (Deanna)

We read every night for at least 10 minutes with our children. My DH has one-on-ones with our children every night before they go to bed. It's his favorite tradition, and the kids really miss it when he's out of town.

Bath time is also a big thing. My DH and I do them assembly line style, with one manning the tub, and the other squirting lotion on. Each child can request lotion in a Happy Face pattern or Bombadeer (We stand up really high, and drop the lotion down on their tummies) (Linda)


From the first day my kids were born I have sang "Good night, I love You", to them. It is nice to stop the daily hustle and let the kids know that I really do Love them no matter what. Sometimes the kids will go to stay at Grandma's or a friend's house and before they go we have to stop and sing this little song. A few times the kids stay an extra night at Grandma's and they will call and sing the song over the phone. For Bren that is not good enough, so when he gets home we will do it in person. This is nice because there are times they are in trouble or upset and it changes the mood, I think this is my favorite tradition. My kids and I even sing it to relatives that stay the night or if family is around when my kids go to bed they sing it as well. (Sue)

Birthday

Whenever the kids in my family had birthdays, our parents played a scratchy old 78-rpm recording of "Happy Birthday." We did our part by groaning. Even as adults, no matter where we were, the phone rang on our birthdays. Saying hello, we'd hear a phonograph needle being carefully placed onto a tinny, aged, choral rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Another tradition which we started with our children is called "The Birthday Poem." Each child has the opportunity to receive an extra gift on their birthday for memorizing and reciting a poem. It has been so fun! I am so pleased with how it is turning out. Both of our oldest boys (7 and 5) memorized poems last year and then recited them at their family birthday dinners. It's been a great way to reinforce the habit of memorization, plus introduce them to some fun poetry! Of course, they look forward to the extra gift! (Ann)

For birthday's we always decorate the house with balloons while the kids are sleeping. They also get to pick their favorite breakfast and dinner. One time for one child’s birthday we had spaghetti for breakfast and pizza hut for dinner.


"On my birthday my family has to have what I want for my birthday dinner. I usually have pizza. That is what we have the night before my birthday. Then the next morning we have our family party at 4:03 in the morning because that is when I was born. Then we open my gifts, we eat, and then go to school. Then later we eat dinner. I usually pick Chinese food and pumpkin mousse." (Jay P.)

A Golden Birthday….. Our family celebrates what they call a "golden" birthday. Your golden birthday is the year that your age matches your date of birth. For example, if your birthday is on March 26, your 26th birthday would be your "golden" one. The theme could be carried out with a gold crown, a gold watch, or activities, such as treasure hunts.

The Birthday Tree….. Our family that plants a tree every year as part of their birthday celebrations. Each year, the birthday child stands in front of the birthday tree to help record their growth together.

A Birthday Cake Breakfast….. Several years ago we began the silly tradition of  birthday cake for breakfast. We mix up the ingredients for a chocolate cake and pour them into the waffle iron. When the cake is finished cooking, we top it with ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and cherries. My kids love running off to school and telling their teachers that their mom made them eat birthday cake for breakfast. But hey, it’s a family tradition!
 

Family Reunions

"A Home for the Holidays Reunion" by Cathy Johnson…..It seems that our fondest memories revolve around the holidays and the times we are able to spend together as families. Wouldn’t it be nice to share that special feeling, not only with the immediate family but with the entire all the aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and 2nd cousins, in fact, the entire family. This was the idea behind one of the most memorable family reunions I have ever attended. To this day we still remember, with fondness, our "Home For the Holidays" family reunion. Here is how it took place.

Ist DAY – FRIDAY

As family members were arriving in the campground a flyer was passed out that explained the order of the events, the time, and where to gather for each one.  That evening, was NEW YEAR’S EVE and everyone prepared to celebrate with party hats and favors. We had a pot luck dinner with lots of all the favorite snacks that go along with the holiday. I’m sure that we scared any wild animal within 20 miles as we banged on pots and pans and blared our car horns right at the stroke of midnight.

2ND DAY – SATURDAY

The first thing in the morning (somewhere around 9 a.m.) we celebrated EASTER with an Easter egg hunt for all the kids (you can decide on an age limit). At first this seemed just a little strange to all the children, with it being the middle of August and all, but it didn’t take them long to fit into the spirit of things.

Next we all had just one hour (until 11 a.m.) to come up with our family entry for the 4TH OF JULY parade. There was a lot of creativity (and I think, a lot more imagination) that went into the different entries. At the end of the parade the first, second, and third place entries were awarded prizes. Still celebrating the 4th of July, we had an old-fashioned watermelon seed spitting contest, a fishing pond (with live fish to catch), three legged races, etc. By 1 p.m. we finished up with a grand picnic with hamburgers and hotdogs and all the fixings.

HALLOWEEN (starting at about 5 p.m.) was next, and here again we were asked to come up with costumes from what we had just lying around. There were plenty of treats for the kids as they went from tent to tent shouting "Trick or Treat". To finish off the holiday, the costumes were judged and prizes given for the most creative, funniest, scariest, etc.

We started gathering for THANKSGIVING dinner around 7 p.m. I was surprised to find a full Thanksgiving dinner spread out with all the trimmings right down to the cranberry sauce. We ate till we just couldn’t fit one more mouthful in. Each family was asked to put on a skit, or tell about an experience they had been most thankful for that year.

We finalized out "Home for The Holidays" reunion with CHRISTMAS (starting somewhere around 9p.m.or 9:30 p.m.) and were asked to bring a white elephant gift to exchange (we knew about this one in advance). Santa paid a visit to all the kids, and even passed out candy canes and gave notes on how each child had behaved that year. It took a couple of hours to complete the white elephant exchange, and we finished up with the story of our Savior from the Bible. It was after midnight before we all turned in, very tired, and very fulfilled at having just spent a whole year of holidays with all of the people we loved the most.

I am not very big on family reunions, I don't know anyone. And I am not the only one, so for our big family reunions we have to wear the same color shirt for every family. All the descendents of my Grandpa wear red, and his sisters family's wear blue, green, etc

Graduation Traditions


"We always had a party when a child graduated from high school or college. The party was usually held outdoors to celebrate high school graduation and guests included classmates and friends who were important during the graduate's high school years as well as extended family members. The honoree always addressed the gathering and knowing this was expected, most, but not all, prepared a speech before hand. We also accommodated guests who wanted to say something special to the graduate in front of the crowd. Almost always grandparents, parents and siblings had something to offer at this time. The college graduation
celebration was similar, but generally took place in a restaurant or hotel." (Bill)

New Baby

A quilt for Baby…..Part of getting ready for a baby in our home is making each child his or her own crib size quilt. A lot of consideration goes into each quilt and I get the other children very involved. I knew that I wanted to do a blue and white quilt (for boy) and that I wanted to speed piece the triangles and so I started to go through my pattern books to find a design. I found a number of patterns that I liked and would work and sketched them out onto grid paper, I colored them the way that the quilt would look and had the children vote on the designs. The result was quite sweet. They kids all knew the story of Joshua marching around the city Jerico and how the walls had come tumbling down, so the design that they picked was one called "Broken Windows." A beautiful quilt, all 1000 pieces of it. They cheered me on as I stitched and are all excited to have a hand at quilting now, so that they can tell Joshua that they had a hand in it, literally!

Coming home from the hospital…..I have always packed the same outfit in my hospital bag for the new baby to wear home. There is something comforting to me about it, remembering each tiny newborn in the same thing. The children love seeing the tiny baby outfit again and imagining how they looked in the same outfit, astounded that they ever "fit into that!" Depending on the situation, my husband has always dressed the new addition for their trip home. Luckily our babies have weighed between 5 lbs and 7 lbs and so the outfit has always fit, somewhat loosely for a couple but it has never been too small.

The second important outfit…..My mother began this tradition when we were christened and it made so much sense to me that I did it with my babies too. Each child is blessed in their own outfit, so that they will have it for their eldest child. I have also made sure that they had their own blanket and booties. My eldest was blessed in my dress and my second child used my christening
blanket on his blessing day. Johanna, my eldest, can use my dress on her eldest child, if she chooses to, and David can hand down the shawl. I love making or shopping for the perfect outfit and we have had a wonderful time in our family with this. I made my second child's outfit, my mother crocheted the third child's dress, my mother-in-law made the third daughter's dress and each has in someway contributed to all 7 outfits, blankets, shawls and booties. It makes a special day even more sacred and I believe that those feelings will still be felt when they are used again for my grandchildren's sacred blessing days.

"In our family everyone helped decorate the new baby's room before birth. At the beginning of mom's seventh month of pregnancy we all drew a colored paper from a special container. Written on these papers was an item which would be our
responsibility to choose or provide, according to our age and ability. Items included things like wallpaper, paint, special blanket, lamp, mobile, crib toy, wall decoration, rug and even once a stroller, when the old one was beyond repair. Even the youngest child had an input by choosing a special stuffed animal. The colors were coded by age----in other words, the choices written on
red paper were reserved for those under five years of age and so forth.
In this day and age when large families are not so common, the idea might be adapted to friends, as well as family members who would join together at a predetermined date and decorate the room together in a party atmosphere. This could become a variation of the traditional baby shower." (Pearl)

Vacations/Trips

Most young children don't like long automobile trips; they are too confining. To make the trips more enjoyable we played a special game every two hours. It was similar to today's Trivia games, but tailored to each child. When a certain number of questions was answered correctly a prize was earned. These were small gifts wrapped earlier. Children did not compete against one another, but had their own game to win. Each cheered the other on, anticipating their turns.


We try and make our vacations last by having a special place for displaying souvenirs. We purposely bring back some edible items which we can include in a meal a month or so after the trip; items like smoked salmon from Seattle, or candied pecans from Savannah, salt water taffy from Ocean City and so forth. After this 'memory meal' we together choose and place the photos, which have been developed by now, in the family album.

When my DH travels, I put love notes, cards, post-it notes, etc in his suitcase. I have to be careful, though. One time, I put a 'mushy' post-it on a court document that he was taking with him. He almost handed it to the court clerk! (Linda)
 

Wedding & Engagement

This is what we have done when someone becomes engaged in our family. What we did when my sister became engaged was so much fun we repeated it when I recently became engaged. Anyway, the following are ideas taken from the two fairly recent
engagement parties in our family that I believe will continue on as a tradition:


1) You really need someone in the family, or perhaps a friend who is an artist to do the following: Bake two huge sugar cookies (we used pizza pans) and using colored frosting paint the portrait of the intended bride and groom on the cookies which are framed with ruffles and bows and used as decorations.

2) We had a heart shaped vase, but any container will do to hold wishes for the engaged couple. These wishes were written ahead and brought to the party by invited guests .

3) The intended bride and groom were also given assignments prior to the party.  The groom-to-be had to write a "Dream Letter" to his love, being as passionate and extravagant as his imagination would allow. This fictional letter should describe a lavish honeymoon trip where nothing is to expensive or unattainable. The bride-to-be is to write a letter recalling their first meeting and describing what was and wasn't attractive about the first impression made by the intended groom. These letters are to be read aloud during the party." (Jenny)

Year Round

I love Christmas! I can’t stand it when it is done and so I immediately start planning and collecting for the next one, which because Christmas is so close to the beginning of the next year is always "this year". So I came up with a way to celebrate Christmas and feel that wonderful Christmas spirit all year long.

On the 25th of every month we find a way to celebrate Christmas in our home.  Right after Christmas, in January, February and March we will listen to the Christmas music that we have had a hard time putting away. Closer to the middle of the year, when the aching for that Christmas spirit gets worse, our celebrations get more involved. Along with playing Christmas music, we will make cards, take a photo for the card, burn Christmas scented candles, or spices of the stove, bake cookies for a neighbor, make ornaments, work on Christmas gifts, read Christmas stories or sing carols.

I love the feelings of Christmas, people accept and give graciously and generously and everyone is joyful and kind. I wanted my family to know that we could have those feelings year round and the feelings we remember on the 25th flow over into the rest of the year.

I've made a personalized family calendar. Besides the regular customized pictures that you can put on them, I've gone through and inserted pictures of the family, cousins, grandparents, etc. so that even the little ones can see what holiday is coming up next. I've also included stickers and clipart on holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas, Ground Hog Day, etc. The more holidays, the better for the kids. (Linda)

I had a neighbor when we lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho who had 4 sons. She felt that it was very important for her sons to have excellent manners. She insisted that they know how to use the extra cutlery that is found at the place setting in a nice restaurant and this is how she did it.

On each holiday throughout the year, like Valentines, St. Patrick's day etc., she set a beautiful formal table and the boys had to dress up to attend her nice dinner. When those boys attended proms, and other special events, they felt confident about themselves.

I thought of another great tradition that my sister-in-law talked about in her relief society last summer while we were visiting her. This is called "The Blue Plate Special". When her daughter got married one of her friends gave her a beautiful blue plate accompanied by a poem. Any time a member of the family has a special accomplishment, i.e. dad gets a new job, A's on a report card, a birthday, special performances, or anything that deserves recognition, you put the "blue plate" at their place at the dinner table and they become the person of honor for dinner that night. Here is the poem that goes with it:

The Blue Plate Special: A Year Round Tradition

Starting a family tradition is the key
to acknowledging happenings in the family.
What better way to celebrate a promotion
or the news the family is "Due" for a bit more commotion.
Everyone's pleased about the win this day,
And Susi's grades were mostly A's. . . YAY!
Set out the "Blue Plate" at his/her place
It makes them feel special in a very unique way.
A birthday or a part in the play
Brings out the "BLUE PLATE" to honor the day
The ones that were almost and you gave it your best are still important to us. .
.
So . . . Let's celebrate and make a big fuss.
Celebrate those special moments the "BLUE PLATE" way.
Continue on as your family grows and grows each and every day.

My daughter's best friend also does something similar to this, but her plate has "You're special" actually written on it. She says it always made her feel so wonderful when she got the special plate at her place. (Marsha)

We have a Sunday Box that is full of Sunday books, puppets, stationary for letter writing, scriptures, and a list of ideas in case we get bored and need an idea for something to do. (Linda)


One Friday night each month is set aside for Family Night. The rules are simple--family only. We rent a video that all of us can enjoy. We have had good luck with the older movies-- Shirley Temple, The Marx Brothers, The Parent Trap. We all take turns selecting the movies and the kids are usually surprised by how much they can enjoy our selections. My husband and I were equally surprised by how much we enjoyed their selection of Encino Man.

We always order pizza for dinner. Next, we spread out an old blanket, one that can absorb spills. We start out on the floor with our pizza and drinks but usually end up cuddled together on the couch. Family night seems to foster a physical closeness that we rarely have time for otherwise.

Since Family Night, more traditions have been added. The last night of summer vacation, we sit on the front steps with a 1/2 gallon of raspberry sherbet. It can be any other flavor during the summer but for this special night, the last night of freedom before school starts, it must be raspberry. We each have our spoons and eat right out of the container, discussing our hopes and fears for the upcoming school year. (Carol Bryant )

For holidays I try to pack something really cute for my kids and husband’s lunches. They have a fun time and love to share it with their friends. Like for St Patty's Day I paint their sandwich green and try to buy everything green, Even green Kool-Aid. For Halloween I take the bread and cut it out like a pumpkin and then paint it with food coloring to make it look like a
jack-o-lantern and then put fun stuff in it. (Dawna S.)

One of the best traditions we have going in our family right now is a family scrapbook called "The Hoole Street Journal." Every family contributes pictures, talks given in church, trip information, recital pictures, school awards, etc. and gives it to my mother-in-law. She then compiles the information in scrapbook form on 8 1/2 x 11 pages. These pages are color-copied and placed in acid-free clear page protectors. Each family receives a copy probably 3 times per year. It is wonderful for my boys to be able to see what their 34 cousins are doing and get to know them through a family scrapbook! (Ann H.)


We have a daily tradition you may be interested in. At scripture time, the children are given a small snack, like popcorn, Orange Julius, or a candy. They always look forward to Scripture Time and are usually pretty quiet while they eat. (Lisa)


The first thing that comes to mind is that my husband makes pizza every week after church. It's a nice break for me and he gets his weekly dose of pizza. (Jacque)

When one of the children are sick, we have a special 'sick box'. It holds a special afghan made by Grandma, a special glass that I've tole painted on (says Bugs, Germs, Sick) It's clear plastic with big yellow and blue polka dots on it. We didn't want anyone to accidentally use the sickie glass! Also in the box are plain paper bags that the sick person can decorate. They then use them as a disposable garbage can for used tissues. Also included are card games, a new coloring book, and a new inexpensive toy. (Linda)

My mother and father made up this game when we were young. We liked to go for rides as a family, looking at new houses etc. To keep 6 young kids from going crazy, they involved us in deciding where we would go. Starting from oldest to youngest, we would each be given a chance to decide whether we would go right, straight or left (if each of those were available) at each intersection. Hence the name the "left right ride." It may sound kind of boring, but we loved it, as do my kids and the numerous people we have had live with us through the years. As we got older we realized that we could "win" the game by arriving at a desired destination. This was often an ice cream parlor.

Spring

Every spring, the first beautiful warm day, whether the weatherman says it is spring or not, we fly Styrofoam planes. They are inexpensive, between $2 and $4 at Wal-Mart and provide lots of exercise and fun and don't require a lot of adult supervision. I like to watch them play and interact, it makes you fall in love with them again.

We found a new type of plane to fly this year as well. It is called an "AirHog". It is a propeller driven Styrofoam plane that uses compressed air to power the real piston engine. You dock the plane to a pump and fill the pressure tank with air by pumping it up like you would a bike tire. When the pressure gauge says your ready you let it go and watch it fly and chase it! I recommend at least one plane for every two actively-participating children, but more would not be complained about. Also remember to take a jug of water, even watching makes you thirsty. (Bernadine)
 

Summer

We have 'Anytime Anywhere picnics' quite often. It makes leftovers and a boring Tuesday night a lot more fun. Have them in the bedroom, hallway, front porch, trailer, under the tree, at a park, anywhere. We usually give the children a chance to choose. We put a big blanket or two out on our front lawn at least twice a week after dinner in the summertime. The kids wrestle with Dad, we have story time there, and visit with the neighbors as they pass by. It's the gathering place for the neighborhood. (I'm sometimes a spoil sport, and sit on our porch swing and watch from there!) Another one of the children's favorite is
camping out in our trailer in the driveway. (Linda)

Fall

Harvest Party…..I am not crazy about Halloween. I help my children come up with creative costumes but they know that I won’t do the ghouls, witches, ghosts stuff, no matter how cute. Then I discovered a way to get them excited about the harvest rather than focusing on Halloween. We decorate with the symbols of the Harvest: Hay bales, pumpkins, corn starts, squash, apples etc. Celebrating a season of abundance and readying for Thanksgiving. We make cool invitations and invite our friends and family over for a Harvest party. We dunk for apples, tie donuts from strings and have the children eat them that way and we hide the miniature pumpkins in the pasture or orchard and have the children hunt for them. I cook a huge delicious stew in the Dutch oven and bake fresh rolls. We drink hot apple cider and have everyone bring a plate of their favorite fall treats to share. This emphasizes the positive aspects of the fall and our family and friends have fun doing it. (Bernadine)

 

Winter

We started a tradition the first year we were married of building a snow family after the first big snowstorm. As we've added children, our Snow Family has grown, too. My DH loves to accessorize them with the appropriate props - a golf club for him, a broom and dustpan for me (Not my idea!!) soccer ball for DD #1, etc. (Linda)

 

New Years

Relive the Year's Memories….On New Year's Eve our family stays home. We have a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and sparkling cider. Then we watch the video of our family's past year. Each year we start a new videotape. Sometimes we watch several years in a row. It's great family time. — (Kerry)

We don't have a family yet, but the two years we've been married my wife and I audio taped and then video taped on New Years day. We made resolutions for the New Year. The next year we first explained how the previous year went and compared results to resolutions and then made resolutions again for the New Year. We kept it light and humorous even though the resolutions themselves were serious and practical. We hoped we would be able to help each other achieve our goals if we made them concrete and shared them. It hasn't worked perfectly, but we think it is one of the things we do that draws us closer together and reaffirms our desire to support one another and help each other stick to our highest ideals. We intend to expand the tradition when we have children and they reach school age. (George )

On New Years Eve we always have a family party. During this time we have a hat making contest for all the party guests. We use plain party hats or cardstock, scissors , and glue to create our own. We decorate our hats with many different options---felt, sequins, pom-poms, feathers, beads, fake jewels, tinsel, confetti, small clocks, etc. The hats are judged by the guests and prizes are given out for most silly, most festive, most creative, etc.
 

Ground Hog Day

One sort of silly tradition we have in our family is for Ground Hog Day (Feb 2). We always have "Ground Hog Spaghetti" I know that sounds a little gross, but it's really just spaghetti sauce with "ground hog"--sausage. I started it when my boys were really young and into all the gross stuff, and we still have it every year. (Linda)

Living in Groundhog country I can understand this one. We have Groundhog shaped cookies and cakes and other things. We go to Scotty's Donuts on Groundhog Eve and watch the Groundhog drop (the same thing that is done at time square and new
years only with a painting of a Groundhog). I can not believe the amount of people who come to down for this.
 

Valentine’s Day

Every year we make sugar cookies in the shapes of hearts, cupids, arrows, etc. and frost them and add sprinkles.

Our family tradition is to make homemade valentines to hand out to those we love. We use colored paper, doilies, markers, stickers, ink & stamps, stencils, decorative scissors, glitter, etc. It is really a lot of fun!

We send out anonymous Valentines to different people. We choose several different people and sometimes the same people as the previous year. It may be people who otherwise do not get much attention on Valentine’s day. We do this so that they will know that someone is thinking of them---but they do not know WHO.

We like to play a game with candy conversation hearts. We fill a bowl with the candy hearts with sayings on them. Everyone sits in a circle. One person starts the game by taking a candy heart from the bowl. That person starts a story of his own creation and MUST include the words from the candy heart in the story. He then passes the bowl to the next person, who chooses a candy heart and continues the story. This continues around the circle with each person adding to the story and using the words from the candy hearts. This game creates lots of laughter from the crazy story lines!
 

St. Patrick’s Day

On St. Patrick's Day my family reads the Dr. Seuss book. Then my mom makes "Green Eggs And Ham" [like the Dr. Seuss book]. My mom makes scrambled eggs with green food coloring. We all go to school and work wearing a little bit of green
so we don't get pinched.
 

We have a very fun St. Patrick’s tradition that we have done since my kids were little. Next to Christmas I think my kids look forward to St Patrick’s most. And we're not even Irish. Anyway, my kids would set "traps" for the Leprechaun . These traps would be anything they could put together like a bowl resting on a spoon up in the air, or a box on a knife, and there would be tons of them around the house. I would buy a big bag of candy and when they were not looking I would put candy under the box and "set off the trap", you had to be very tricky. I would leave them a little note that night like I was the elf and say stuff like "I'm too quick for you, maybe next year. Thanks for a very fun day" etc. They would find the trap down and quickly look under it to see if the little elf was caught, take the candy and set the trap again. This went on all day long. I also took a q-tip and food coloring and made "footprints" across the kitchen floor, into the cabinets, up the walls and etc. They totally believed in the little
guy. It was always so much fun. When the older ones no longer believed they helped set off the traps, and had just as much fun for doing that. One year I left a stuffed Leprechaun under a box with only it's leg sticking out. My youngest was so nervous and excited as he approached the box. We videotaped his reaction. I think he was actually relieved when he found out it wasn't real. He still has it in his room and he's 13 now. The kids would leave notes for the elf like they do for Santa. I suspect it is a tradition they will continue in their homes. Also we ate green pancakes and green eggs that day for dinner. (Marsha)


One tradition that I recently heard about that sounds like fun, at least for little ones, was for St. Patrick's Day. The night before, after the kids were asleep, the mom would put shamrock stickers on the kids (forehead, hands, cheeks, etc.) and the next morning the little guys were thrilled to find that the leprechaun had left them with "leprechaun kisses". I think she also tucked
some kind of green candy under their pillows.


Leprechaun Kisses. Every year during the night before St. Patrick’s Day the leprechauns come in the wee hours of the morning and leave leprechaun kisses (shamrock stickers) on each of the children. The leprechauns often get carried away and kiss the children’s toothbrushes and toys. They also leave gold candy coins under the children’s pillows and disappear before the first rays of morning. Sometimes it appears that the leprechauns must have danced all around the house kissing little cheeks and hands, telephones, backpacks, cereal boxes, and even shoes.

April Fool’s Day

A great April Fool’s Day tradition is to have a mixed up dinner! (Che’rie)

 

Fourth of July

Every 4th of July after watching the local town parade we have lots of fun and games at our home with other relatives. We play a "Mini-Olympics" with some outlandish and fun competitive areas. Watermelon Seed Spitting, Hula Hoop contest, Bubble Blowing Contest, Shot Put Throw with a balloon, Cupcake decorating contest, Water Balloon Toss, specialized scavenger hunt to collect certain items first, Names of the Presidents game, etc. We also have a family group BBQ picnic in the backyard. We have lots of fun. In the evening we go and watch the local fireworks. What a grand finale for a great day!
 

Halloween

When I was young, my mother invited my classmates to an annual Halloween party where prizes were given for several categories of costumes. It was my own private version of what went on at school and I remember feeling very proud and important. We painted Jack-O-Lanterns, bobbed for apples and in the last couple years, made taffy apples and popcorn. These parties lasted from kindergarten through fifth grade. (John)

Based on sound advice from our pedodontist back in 1973, I let the kids eat all the candy they can the first night, then I buy the
rest from them for a nickel each piece. This is not an option. It’s our family’s tradition and they don’t know any better. I’m sure they think everyone celebrates this way. If not, they don’t complain because I stop passing out nickels at the first whine.

We get one pumpkin for each member of the family. The pumpkins are sized according to the member of the family (Dad's is the biggest and the baby's is the smallest). Then we carve them either on Halloween or the day before.

 

Thanksgiving

We usually have Thanksgiving dinner in the early afternoon. That gives us time for the traditional family walk after dinner. Another Thanksgiving tradition is eating pumpkin pie for Friday breakfast. My mother usually makes a dozen pumpkin pies. She says since the pies contain milk and eggs they are not a radical departure from more normal breakfasts. (David K.)

On Thanksgiving, my children decided they would divulge one thing each that they had not previously told us. Usually it is a crazy escapade from years past, far enough in the past that we can all laugh about it. Believe it or not, this was my kids’ idea.


On Thanksgiving Day, we all record in a special book the names of all the guests, what was served, and any other important tidbits about the day. Have each person present write a short message in the book. Each year you will enjoy reading the messages of thanks and enjoy the memories of holidays past.

Signature Tablecloth…. Have each guest or family member sign a tablecloth with a permanent marker or fabric pen. Make sure to date each name. Continue this tradition and you will enjoy remembering who was at Thanksgiving dinner each year. You could also have the guests apply their handprint above their name with fabric paints or fabric crayons.

 

Christmas Eve Customs

On Christmas Eve, we ate spaghetti. Friends and relatives would gather over Mom's homemade spaghetti, hot garlic bread and my Aunt Ruth's gelatin salad. Kids bounced off walls in anticipation of Christmas morning, and grown-ups reviewed the year over hot chocolate and Mom's made-from-scratch pie. Holiday music livened the mood.

We all open 1 present Christmas Eve (always seems to be fun Christmas jammies :`}) Also, I wrap our Christmas story books (keep them stored through the year) and put them in a basket under the tree. Every night in December, the kids get to pick one book and open it and we read it at bedtime. It is fun for all of us because we haven't seen them since last Christmas!

On Christmas Eve after my parents get home we always go and give the ducks Christmas dinner. When we come home we have a special dinner. After that we take about forty-five minutes to finish off our presents and make sure that they are all wrapped.

Then the whole family helps bake special cookies for Santa. While they are baking we go into the living room and by the light of the Christmas tree we sing Christmas songs. Then we all get ready for bed. For a snack we try some of Santa's cookies. After snack we write our notes to Santa. Then we fill a plate with cookies for Santa and carrots and apples for the reindeer. We also give Santa a cup of milk because hot cocoa gets cold.

Our stockings come next. Each of us hangs his or her stocking. Then Mom or Dad chooses a package for us to open. After we gloat over what we got, Mom or Dad reads to us. Then after a final look at the tree it's time for bed so we can get up extra early in the morning. Merry Christmas! (Suzanne)


On Christmas Eve we each buy a small generic gift and wrap it. We call these our "Twas" presents because we all sit around in a circle and read "Twas the night Before Christmas." Every time there is the word "the" we pass the gift to the right. Every time there is the word "and" we have to change places in the circle. Sometimes this can get a bit rough as the kids got older, so beware. At the end of the poem, you get to open the present you have in your hands.



CELEBRATING FAMILY MEMORIES…..Eight years ago, my cousins started a wonderful tradition. On Christmas Eve, all of our relatives gather together to receive a unique, homemade calendar for the upcoming year - one we all have had a hand in
designing during the couple of months preceding Christmas. It works like this. Each fall, individual families are assigned different months to plan and decorate. We include pictures of ourselves, songs, original poems, and stickers. A month's page revolves around a theme, such as Let's Go Fly a Kite for March and Have a Boo-tiful Halloween for October. We send the individual pages (which are completed by Thanksgiving) to my cousins, who inscribe on them the family's birthdays and anniversaries, copy them, and bind them. When the calendars are handed out on Christmas Eve, we collectively go through them a page at a time.
Reviewing the pictures and poems is fun and brings us all closer. Receiving our calendar is the highlight of our gathering, and throughout the new year it brings loving thoughts of family every time we look at it. It also serves as a great reminder of important family dates.

HOLY NIGHT…..To help our children, (ages ten, eight, and five), prepare for the arrival of Christmas each year, our family sets up a miniature Nativity scene.  The kids like being in charge of the landscaping; they surround the small barn with moss, rocks, and wooden twigs that resemble trees. The farm animals are the first figurines to be added to the scene, followed by the shepherds and their flocks. A week before Christmas, we set up the carvings of Mary and Joseph in a far corner of the room. Each night thereafter, before going to bed, the kids move the statues a little closer to the manger. On Christmas Eve, Mary and
Joseph arrive and the children place the likeness of the Christ child in the crèche.


CHRISTMAS JOURNALS…..After my second child was born, I seemed to have little time anymore to record daily events and observations, so I decided to design Christmas journals for both of my boys. On Christmas Eve, after Santa has arrived, I sit down and write separate letters to Tony and Nicky (now ages seven and four) describing their personalities and their growth throughout the year. I relay my favorite anecdotes and list their best friends, favorite foods, and what they asked for from Santa. I also note the toys they treasure most and even some of their little habits and quirks. Someday, my children will reread what
I've written about them and laugh - I hope!


PERSONALIZED ORNAMENTS…..One of our favorite holiday traditions is presenting personalized ornaments to each family member. We try to choose ones that symbolize events of the previous year. When one of our girls had her debut onstage, we chose a theatrical mask for her ornament. My husband's collection includes a set of golf clubs, a miniature computer, and a small leather briefcase. Occasionally, I need to handcraft a particular ornament, as was the case the year we searched for a pail and shovel for our daughter, who practically lived in the sandbox. (At a craft store, I found a tiny wooden bucket and scoop that I glued together and hand-painted.) We always mark the year on the ornament or its ribbon hanger; we also record a description of the ornament and the reason it was given in a special cloth diary. The Christmas tree has become a record of our family history. When our children finally leave home, their treasured ornaments will become a starter set for their own trees.


CHRISTMAS CAMP-OUT…..We started a Christmas Eve tradition that is such a hit with our 4-year-old son, Jeff, that he continues to mention it throughout the year. We transformed our living room into a campground by moving all the
furniture back so we could lay out our sleeping bags around the Christmas tree.  We also lit a big fire in the fireplace, turned off all the lights except for the Christmas tree's, and cooked our dinner over the fire. The first year, we had hobo meals (hamburgers, potatoes, carrots, and celery baked in aluminum foil); this past year, we roasted hot dogs. For dessert, of course, we made
s'mores. We served everything on Christmas paper plates for an easy cleanup. Then we all snuggled in and began our Christmas movie marathon. We rented all of our favorites: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Little Drummer Boy. After our son fell asleep, my husband and I slipped in one of our favorites (Miracle on 34th Street). We have occasional camp-outs throughout the year at our son's request, but Christmas is a special time with all the decorations and spirit of the season surrounding us.


FRENCH HENS AND CALLING BIRDS….. Each year, at our big family get-together, we act out the lyrics of one of our favorite holiday songs, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Those who want to participate are divided into small groups, each of
which is assigned one of the twelve days. Any item in the house can be used to illustrate a verse - from clothes to kitchen utensils and from people to animals. Creativity abounds. We spend one hour orchestrating and rehearsing our skits, and then the singing begins. Not only is our little pageant amusing, but it's also sometimes embarrassing, like the year Grandma's bloomers were used to demonstrate "maids a-milking." All of our shows have been successful, and the whole family agrees they usually are the highlight of the annual holiday party.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JESUS….. Because young children tend to focus on what they receive from Santa, it is often difficult for them to understand the true meaning of Christmas. I wanted my three kids, Bill, Mandy, and Drew (ages nine, six, and two) to always remember that the holiday is a birthday celebration for Jesus. So, on Christmas Eve we bake a small cake and put birthday candles on it. Then we sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus." Afterward, we each open one gift. This exchange is our family's way of acknowledging the offering of gifts to the Christ child from the three kings. These gifts usually are not toys but more
meaningful gifts such as Christmas pajamas or books. The children love this tradition.


AWAY AT THE MANGER….. When it came to receiving gifts from Santa Claus and exchanging family presents when I was a child, our family had a special tradition. After dinner on Christmas Eve, one of my parents would take all of the children to our town's cathedral, where a beautiful outdoor Nativity scene was displayed. (The other parent stayed home to straighten up.) We trudged through the snow and up the hill and knelt before the crib of the infant Jesus to say a special prayer. Sometimes, we would look up in the sky for a certain star glowing brightly. When we arrived home, Santa would have come and left gifts under the tree. This holiday tradition made us keenly aware of the connection between the spirit of giving gifts to one another and of receiving gifts from Santa in celebration of the birth of Jesus.
 

Christmas

12 days of Christmas …..For 12 days, with the twelfth day being on Christmas Eve, we have great fun! It all begins with a meeting, at the beginning of December, during our regular Family Council. Our "12 days" family could be picked for many different reasons , they may be having a hard time with problems in their family, or money or just because we feel that they are the right family.

Once we decide on the family, we make a list of fun things to do for them. These ideas take into consideration their interests and the age of their children. Our surprises have ranged from a picture frame, disposable camera and the cost of developing the film to a basket filled with baking supplies for the holidays.

We always begin our "12 days" with a note asking that they not try and find us out. We have often gone to the door, after dark, to deliver our gift and found a note taped to the door, addressed to the "Elves" , thanking us and expressing
their excitement. It has been so much fun to do.

On the last day, which would fall on Christmas Eve, we have dropped off a gift for individual family members and included another letter wishing them a Merry Christmas and thanking them for the opportunity to do this. Our family has looked forward to this tradition and it emphasizes the Giving rather than the Getting.

Make Elf Footprints …..After the kids are in bed on Christmas Eve, we leave a trail of elf prints from our fireplace through the living room. To make them, cut two sponges in the shape of small shoeprints, then dip them in a plate of "elf dust" (flour, baby powder, carpet deodorizer). The prints always stop at the tray of cookies and milk left out for Santa and sometimes the elves are a bit naughty and play with the presents. Our children love to figure out exactly what path the elves took.

Surprise Your Neighbors with Treats …..We do 12 days of secret surprises for a neighbor, bringing the appropriate number of goodies — one on the first day to twelve on the Twelfth Day. Recently we've been keeping our identity a secret. When the children were smaller we revealed ourselves on the last day because we thought they wouldn't keep it a secret anyway.
 
Start an Ornament Collection …..Every Christmas we buy an ornament to celebrate something that happened that year. When we got married, we bought a wedding ornament. The year we graduated from college, we got one with a diploma. This
year we had our first baby. We plan to pick out an ornament for us, and start our daughter's collection. We look forward to unwrapping the ornaments every year and remembering why we bought them.

Camp Out Under the Tree …..Every Christmas we spend one night sleeping on the living room floor under the lighted tree, listening to holiday music. We talk about Christmas, and the previous year. The kids look forward to it, and so do
we!

Help the Needy …..This year we're going to teach our children that there is more to life than getting a Sony Play Station. We're limiting gifts to one per child and one gift to share. We are going to donate our time to a charity or soup kitchen. It's our job to teach our kids that there are rewards beyond money or things. We hope we'll have fun in the process.

Tell Holiday Stories …..On our oldest daughter's first Christmas we read her the Christmas Mouse which is my husband's favorite childhood story. Now we read it to all our children on Christmas Eve before we tuck them into bed to dream of
sugar plums.

Give a Christmas Eve Gift …..Every Christmas Eve, when the doorbell rings, the children run to answer it. They know Santa has left them their first present. Inside a brightly colored sack is a pair of new pajamas for everyone. This idea serves two purposes. It's easier to get the kids ready for bed because they can't wait to wear their new pajamas! And we all look great in the pictures the next morning.

Put Out Snacks for Santa …..We leave out cookies and milk for Santa, and a spoonful of sugar (or carrots) for the reindeer. We make a big deal about this, counting the cookies, pointing out how full the glass of milk is, etc. While Nina sleeps we sip the milk and eat the cookies, leaving a few with bite marks. The next day she runs to the plate and is always amazed by the evidence that Santa was in our house.

Prepare a Special Breakfast …..When I was in my twenties, I made a breakfast dish for my parents called Seattle Dutch Babies, a fluffy cross between an omelet and a pancake that you bake in the oven and then serve with lemon wedges, butter, and powdered sugar. My dad, who cooks only a few things, seized upon this recipe and started making it every year for Christmas breakfast.

See the Lights …..In the middle of December we go on a family sight-seeing trip to look at all the Christmas lights and decorations. It's a wonderful thing, even for my six-month-old. What baby doesn't like to look at lights? On our way home, we vote on the best decorated house.

We have a family party on Christmas Eve at my paternal grandmother's house, and exchange gifts with the people we won't see on Christmas Day. Everyone looks forward to cookies from my maternal grandmother. They have become a real tradition. On Christmas morning, the immediate family will open their gifts around the tree. And a new tradition may be emerging for my husband and son and I. This year we will spend Christmas Eve with my family, then get up early Christmas morning to drive to Missouri to see his family.


I had a friend in high school whose grandmother always made a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. They really enjoyed it. I think our little family will do that one this year. (Jacque)

Julgranskaramell (A Swedish Tradition) …..Hide tiny presents on your Christmas tree for each member of the family. They do not get to open them until the tree is taken down! This Swedish tradition spreads the fun of Christmas throughout the season.

1. Fill empty toilet tissue rolls with candy and/or small toys and wrap them in brightly colored tissue paper.

2. Tie the ends with curling ribbon or yarn and fringe them with scissors.

A fun Christmas tradition from a woman in my ward: She picks a Christmas book early in the Christmas season and does her Christmas around this book. They’re from Mexico, so one year she picked a Mexican Christmas book and had a party with a piñata, sang traditional Mexican songs, and had Mexican food. Another year she chose The Nutcracker story and taught her children the story, found a school performing it and went for FHE, and had a traditional German dinner. (Ann)

One tradition that we have is that we meet together as a family (My mom and dads family) and exchange gifts Christmas Eve. Then Christmas Day is for the individual families. It worked out nice when we all lived next to each other. As for my family, 2 years ago we started singing carols around the Christmas tree and then read the story of Christ’s birth. Then my husband offers family prayer. That way we are all going to bed thinking of Christ more and less of Santa. It has put a more spiritual feeling into our Christmas. (Dawna)

I just thought of probably the most important tradition that my parents started.  I hated it then but now I love it. On Christmas morning, before we were allowed to go downstairs and see what Santa brought, we would gather in my parents’ room and have a family prayer, usually centered on Christ. And, of course, my mom or dad always said it so it seemed to take forever! Now I really enjoy it and have continued it with my own family. (Che'rie)


In addition to regular Christmas ornaments, our tree is trimmed with memorabilia: birth announcements, wedding or graduation invitations issued that year, post cards or match boxes from trips made during the year, dried flower, shells, shiny pebbles, feathers or other treasures from family hikes or trips and even photos.


Because both my husband and I come from large families and no one could afford to give everyone a present, we draw names when we gather at Thanksgiving. When some family members live at a distance, which was the case in our family for a few years, we simply add their names and draw for them and gifts are exchanged accordingly by mail.

We have a tradition of giving each other homemade gifts. We find this keeps the emphasis on caring for one another and not the price of the gift. We have exchanged pages from coloring books to oil paintings for the entry hall; knitted sweaters, embroidered pillow cases and creative t-shirts. Some of the best gifts have been presentations, which liven up the occasion: piano and violin duets, a ballet number complete with costume by a young niece, a humorous skit and so forth. (Joyce)

Since our children have been quite young, I have added a new ornament to our collection for each of them. I try to make it so that it's memorable and personal to them. Our boys have quite a variety of different baseball-themed ornaments, the girls have several with a ballet or music theme and there are some with Siamese cats (we have a Siamese cat). I also make ornaments nearly every year and make at least 5 of whatever I am doing that year so that each child will get one when they leave home. This way I figure that when they start establishing homes of their own, they will have a nice bunch of Christmas tree decorations that are special to them. I remember how sad our first Christmas tree looked. (Colleen C.)

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