Family Traditions
1
The importance of spending time together as a family is indisputable. Having
healthy human connections with our family members is crucial for our social wellbeing and overall wellness.
Yet, according to research, the time families spend together doing a shared activity
is significantly low. One of the best ways to reconnect with your family is through
family traditions.
What are family traditions?
A family tradition is an activity or pattern of behavior that reflects family's values,
interests, or beliefs. Once established, it will hopefully be passed down through the
generations. It represents your specific family unit and is like your own family
culture.
What are some common family traditions?
Many families around the world share common family traditions. There are certain
celebrations and holidays that give family members the time to come together and
do something as a family.
Here are some examples of common family traditions from around the world:


Decorating the Christmas tree as a family. Although this tradition is
connected to a religious holiday, it has become widespread around the
world.
Hiding baby teeth under a pillow for the tooth fairy. What started out as
folklore from the Middle Ages has become a widely practiced family
tradition.
Why are family traditions important?
Family traditions vary in how they’re celebrated, but they all have a common
thread of importance:
Creates a sense of comfort and security
Gives a reason for the family to get together
Promotes a healthy work-life balance
Gives family members a sense of belonging
(A sense of belonging to family and community is essential for social and
emotional well-being.)
Keeps cultural or religious traditions going
(As you grow up, you might feel as if you are drifting further and further away
from the values and rituals of your familial culture or religion. This is an excellent
opportunity to reconnect with your roots and strengthen your spiritual wellness.)
5 family tradition examples
What are some unique family tradition ideas you can start with your family?
Whether you are looking for inspiration for new traditions or trying to understand
what old ones may look like, this list can help.
1. Meeting New Year only with your family members and only at home. Or
else you might have a tradition of getting away from it all in some other
country.
2. Celebrating one of the family member's birthday could be quite an event.
3. Making handmade gifts for Christmas and New Year communicates your
love and appreciation. They also allow you to avoid consumerist rush for
the season.
4. Going hiking in the same place or travelling to the same country on holidays
might be the best time spent with your family in the great outdoors. It's a
healthy and energizing bonding activity.
5. Having a move night watching a classical family film together or bingewatching at the weekend is one of the bet ways to unite a family.
6. Visiting the same restaurant/cafe seems a good family tradition whether for
a birthday, anniversary, or just because. Eating a family meal together is one
of the most ancient and sacred forms of socialization.
Eating a family meal together is one of the most ancient and sacred forms of
socialization. Start a family tradition of visiting your favorite restaurant, whether
for a birthday, anniversary, or just because.
Beyond the pleasure of sharing a meal, eating together as a family also has
psychological benefits.
Everyone deserves to have a healthy relationship with their family members. The
sense of belonging and network of support that family provides can create resilient
happiness in an uncertain world.
What are family traditions?
Family traditions are activities or experiences that the family does together on a regular basis or
during certain occasions.
They can be frequent traditions (every day or every week) or not so frequent traditions (once a year).
It may involve celebrating New Year’s Eve the same way every year.
Often the members of the family look forward to this tradition as they help build shared memories.
Some family traditions can include the following:
Celebrating Special Occasions
Anniversaries: Maybe instead of only the couple celebrating the day together, they may like to
celebrate the occasion with the entire family, like the whole family going out to dinner together
instead of just the couple celebrating the anniversary.
Birthdays: Do you have a birthday cake or something different? Does everyone enter your room in
the morning to sing Happy Birthday?
Religious Celebrations: Special ways your family celebrates religious occasions such
as Christmas, Hanukkah or Ramadan. Is there anything different you do for these days that are
different from most other families. For example, I know a Jewish family that invites a different (nonJewish) family every year to their house on one of the days of Hanukkah to show how it is celebrated
with the typical food, lighting of the candles and explaining the meaning of this celebration. I know of
another family that celebrates Christmas at midnight because one of the parents has that tradition in
their country while they celebrate it again on Christmas day as it is done in the other parent’s
country.
Traditions for anytime
A happiness jar: Each person writes down the happiest moment from their day (or week) on a
piece of paper. These happy moments can be shared at the dinner table and are then placed in the
happiness jar. Once a week, month or maybe at the end of the year, you can randomly draw one of
these pieces of paper and re-share that happy moment with the family.
A walk with the family: More than just getting some exercise, this is a great way to talk with each
other, comment on what is happening in their lives or just have a relaxing chat. These walks can be
every day (maybe in the evening after dinner) or once a week… it all depends on the family.
Read a book together: This could be reading bedtime stories to children… these create fond
memories, especially for the children, or you could be together and have one person read a book to
everyone. You could take turns reading chapters or have one person read the entire book. Of course
this can lead to great conversations.
Eat dinner together: It may sound obvious for some though some families don’t sit at a table and
have dinner together. Some people just eat their dinner in separate rooms (for example with the
plate on their lap in front of a TV) or they sometimes eat at different times instead of waiting to be
together. Eating together at a table is another great way to find out how everyone’s day was.
Same meal on the same day: You may have heard of Taco Tuesday (where people always eat
Tacos on Tuesdays) but have you heard of Fish and Chips Friday? How about a night where
everyone helps out to make pizzas.
Movie night: How about all of you watching a movie together. It doesn’t need to be at a local
cinema / movie theatre, it can be watched from the comfort of your home. You could even make your
own popcorn, turn all the lights out and enjoy the show.
What other family traditions can you think of?
So, now it is your turn… go and create incredible family memories.
Lesson 4