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Creating New Holiday Traditions

by Carleton Kendrick, Ed.M., LCSW

If you sense that your holiday traditions aren't working, perhaps it's time for a change. Holiday traditions that made sense when your kids were younger might not be appropriate any more. Or they may be too costly or take too much time. Whatever the reasons for your traditions outliving their purpose, it's never too late to create new, meaningful rituals that your family will cherish.

Here are some guidelines and tips for creating new holiday traditions:

• Remember your childhood holiday celebrations. Be as objective as you can when assessing what you most liked/disliked about those traditions. Use your most cherished childhood memories as resources for fashioning new traditions.

• Get input from all family members. Ask everyone -- your kids, older relatives, and extended family members -- about their favorite family celebrations and new suggestions.

• Fantasize. What parts of your "dream holidays" can you make real? Give your imagination free reign.

• Get ethnic. Research and discover different ethnic holiday traditions. Celebrating your cultural traditions gives children a sense of their ancestry.

• Arrive at a consensus. Respect all family members' desires/conflicts regarding old traditions before embracing new ones. Be sure that everyone is dedicated and eager to make these new traditions a part of your holiday celebrations.

• Make a plan together. Discuss the details of your "new tradition," decide which family members will take on each task, and make a calendar of important to-do dates.