HOO’s PARENTING
www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com
CreaHtingoliday
Traditions by Maria Phillips of
19
As a parent I’ve come to appreciate some of the
traditions I thought were a little monotonous in
my younger years. I’ve carried on toting my kid
dressed in his holiday PJs for a long drive in search of
Christmas lights. We’ve continued to take off of work
and decorate outdoors every Black Friday, without
fail. When we decorate, I put out an old snowman
blow mold and take a photo of my son standing with
it. I carried this old snowman from Pennsylvania with
me, and even though he’s a little out of his element
in Georgia, I will continue to place him on the front
porch every year. It’s important to me to keep these
traditions alive for a few reasons.
After my Grandmother died, these traditions assigned
a bit of holiday responsibility to my Mom. She knew
my Grandmother would want us to celebrate, despite
mourning her death. These traditions helped to push
us through a hard time for our family. The traditions
keep her memory alive throughout the decades.
Traditions also leave something to look forward to,
like the ugly, light-up sweater my Aunt Debbie wears
every year. One year, we will miss the laughs from
that raggedy old sweater. Traditions don’t need to be
elaborate or expensive. Small traditions, like always
wearing new PJs on Christmas, provide comfort with
expectation and regularity.
If you don’t have any traditions for your holidays,
it’s pretty easy to start one! Just think of something
your family would naturally enjoy doing, and repeat
it every year. Since creating my own family, I’ve
started new traditions, too. As a couple, we put our
son to bed early to get ready for Santa. We watch
Christmas movies, sip holiday drinks and curse each
other for buying a toy with so many pieces. I’ve also
started inviting my niece and nephew over each year
to decorate Gingerbread houses and sugar cookies.
My hopes are these traditions will build a stronger
family foundation for my son and give him vivid
memories to carry on with his own family.
Family & Kids Magazine
and local mom to 3-year-old Ben
WE ASKED OUR READERS FOR SOME OF
THEIR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE TRADITIONS THEY
ENJOY DOING EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON:
“Each Thanksgiving morning we watch the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade while eating a Jolly Jingle
Breakfast, complete with pancakes decorated as
Santa Claus. This is the same day we decorate our
tree and our elves return!” –Linley, Phenix City, AL
“We have a holiday picture ornament made every
year after Christmas to have for the next year.
We also purchase an ornament that reflects our
children’s interests for the year. I look forward to
seeing our decorated “timeline” trees when my kids
are adults.” –Beki, Kennesaw, GA
“Even though my kids are still young, participating in
the March of Dimes Night Walk at Fantasy in Lights
is our tradition. Last year I was five months pregnant
and pushing my then 1.5 year old in a stroller for
the 7 mile trek. I look forward to taking them to play
in the faux snow and snack on funnel cakes again
this year!” –Brette, Columbus, GA
“We started using Portable North Polar several
years ago to get personalized phone calls or video
messages sent to our kids. Since we move a lot with
the Army, it has been wonderful to have this tradition
follow us anywhere, no matter if Dad is deployed,
TDY or home!” -Diana, Fort Benning GA
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