Family traditions. Chances are, your family probably has a few family traditions that are unique to just yours and of course, our family has our own family traditions as well.
Now, maybe you’re wondering why I’m talking about family traditions since I write mostly about personal finance, well after a few comments on a few recent Instagram posts, I realized that many families feel like they can’t afford family traditions and the reality of that is upsetting – especially since the holidays are right around the corner.
Well, guess what? Most family traditions don’t even have to cost you money and many may only cost you pennies.
Example – our homemade pizza night. Many readers messaged me not just asking for the pizza dough recipe (which is found in the cookbook, 100 Days of Real Food), but how we make this simple family meal happen.
You’re in charge.
Here’s the thing, most of the time the reason that family traditions can’t happen is because our schedule doesn’t allow it. Most of the time, it has very little to do with cost and a lot to do with where our priorities lay. If your family is stretched so thin with time you probably don’t have time to have a homemade pizza night or just a simple dinner around the dinner table.
So, if this is you, I encourage you to remember that you are in charge. If you want to have time with your family for special family traditions, you will have to make the time possible.
Yes, I realize that may mean that your kids can’t play every sport their heart desires or that they may have to miss a practice or two so your family can enjoy a meal together. But honestly, when your job of raising kids is done, do you want to look back and remember being a chauffeur or remember camping with your kids or have a “eat with your hands” messy meal at home?
There’s no right or wrong answer here – there are many seasons in life and some will be busier than others but you are still in charge and if you feel that your family needs more time together, don’t allow anything to steal that because you cannot get time back.
Keep it simple.
Many of my readers think that it is “cute” that for my kids’ birthdays they get a breakfast of sweets with candles and we all sing happy birthday to the birthday kid. It’s a super fun way to wake up on your birthday.
But here’s the thing, most of the time my kids’ birthdays fall on a school day, so for us in order to make sure that we were all here to sing happy birthday to the special birthday boy or girl, we had to have our celebration in the morning before we went off to school or work.
Usually for their sweet treat, it’s something that I got on sale, like the $0.99 chocolate chip muffins for Charlotte’s celebration. Keeping it simple makes “finding the time” to make the special family traditions happen.
What makes it special?
Real quick – think about your family’s traditions growing up. What made them special? Usually, the thing that makes a family tradition special is that it’s not grand and speculator. It’s something that feels full of love and truly heartfelt. So keep in mind that you don’t have to have pretty printables or gorgeous decor.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if you love all things DIY, then maybe part of your family’s tradition is having everyone help decorate the house with their homemade decorations for Christmas. The key is to work out of love, not image. I know that there are times that I think “oh this will be such a great post on Instagram!” and that thought ends up sucking out the love behind the activity because I’m not doing out of love but out of securing my image.
So remember what makes your family traditions special – love and lots of it – and you’ll have a much more meaningful family tradition.
What is your family’s favorite tradition?
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Jessi, this was great. My favorite tip is to keep it simple. I have been parenting for 22 years now and the reality is that once you establish a tradition it is very hard to change it. Kids really hang onto those traditions. I made the mistake early on by making everything over-the-top and then had to start peeling away. I definitely know now that simple is better.
Hi Jessi
One of my most precious memories from my children growing up is our tradition at Christmas of playing Christmas music and dancing until we were out of breath and laughing in a pile on the floor! I would hold my youngest son in my arms, hold my oldest sons hand and my daughter, the oldest child, would dance in front of me and her brothers! It was the best!!
I never realized just how much it meant to my children until a few years ago when my daughter told me how much she missed it. When she told me this it really meant the world to me because I always treasured our times together but never knew they felt the same way. I told her then that we would have to recreate those memories next Christmas and she said she would absolutely love that!! She is now 30yrs old and a mother of 2 herself and an amazing one at that!!
Jesi, thank you!! I needed to be reminded to make sure I start family traditions with my grandbabies!!
I love the breakfast bd celebration too! Starts off the day with love!
#homemattersparty
Jessi-
Great article with practical advice. The best gifts are those brown paper packages tied up with string. Traditions filled with loving memories. I agree posting everything on the net does seem to suck the love out of the moment.