The holidays are a time for friends and family to get together and celebrate with annual traditions. How do you get the most out of your family traditions? I have a few tips here to help make holiday traditions more fun and more meaningful.

Family traditions are FUN

The more somber traditions we take part in this time of year are certainly important. But it’s also important to have some fun with your family!

You can make a paper pickle if you prefer!

Family traditions are a great way to enjoy the holidays and bring your family closer together, and they’re as unique as you are. Some families celebrate The Christmas Pickle, hiding a pickle-shaped ornament in the Christmas tree. The child who finds the Christmas Pickle first gets an extra present. Some families break the turkey’s wishbone after dinner for good luck. You can use traditions that already exist like these, or come up with your own.

Sometimes traditions evolve over time by themselves. Different families celebrating the same holiday will always do something a little different. If your family celebrates Hannukah, do you include gifts or not? Even the time you eat a holiday meal can be a tradition that develops over time.

Make them experiential

Snow or sun, the point is the togetherness.

Holiday traditions don’t have to rely on objects to be meaningful.

Your family might:

  • Take a walk in the snow (or balmy, 70-degree weather if you’re in Los Angeles!) after your holiday lunch or dinner every year. It’s a great way to make memories with your family, and work off some of that turkey.
  • Go around the table and say what you’re thankful for on Thanksgiving
  • Look over the past year on New Year’s Eve, and remember good things that happened that year.

Experiential traditions bring families closer together, cost nothing, and create no clutter!

Re-vamp when it’s time

From swanky table settings or fun kids’ decorations: it’s all good!

As families grow and time passes, traditions will change—and that’s okay! When a change occurs, let your traditions be flexible to accommodate that change. As people in your family get married and have babies, new people will come into the mix. Three years ago your family dinner may have been upscale, but if there are now toddlers running around it might be best to put the good china away.

Traditions also adapt as family members depart. New people can step into the roles of the departed, or space can be left to remember the person who’s no longer with you. There’s nothing wrong with traditions evolving in the absence of someone, and it’s up to each family to decide how to proceed.

Whatever your family traditions are, remember to have fun and keep it flexible.

What are your family’s unique traditions? Comment below, I would love to hear them!