Wonderful Winter Family Traditions

So many holidays occur in the wintertime: Hanukkah, Christmas, Santa Lucia Day, the Dongzhi Festival, Lunar New Year, and more! Each holiday is steeped in its own traditions. However, they all have one thing in common; gathering and celebrating with loved ones. Thanksgiving Weekend and mid-December through the New Year are notoriously heavy travel times as people journey home to see their families. 

Each family has its own holiday traditions ranging from attending annual holiday markets to enjoying homemade popcorn shrimp with the grandparents. Some traditions go back generations and others emerge as families grow and change. Traditions reinforce our values and bring a sense of comfort and belonging. They remind us of our history that shape who we are today. They adapt with us as our circumstances alter. They give us a lifetime of happy memories shared amongst generations. 

In this day and age, we need more reasons to come together and celebrate. Here is a list of activities that could spark your next family tradition: 

1. Attend an annual local event. Events such as local productions of The Nutcracker or Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol make for good winter fun. Or maybe the local park or downtown area puts up lights or a display? Sip on hot chocolate and see the lights. Hit the local ice-skating rink. Be on the lookout for an event you haven’t been to before. 

Your new event does not even have to be a special annual event. You can create your own annual family event! Make a special trip to your family’s favorite restaurant this holiday season. Or enjoy a family walk in the park on a meaningful day. Then do it again next year. 

2. Revive a forgotten tradition for the new generation. Is there a recipe or activity you always looked forward to as a kid but grew away from as an adult? Bring that tradition back to life! Maybe your grandma used to make baked apples instead of apple pie during the holidays. Try your hand at baked apples this year. Tell your kids or grandkids about your grandparents and your memories of eating baked apples (or the history of the tradition specific to your family).  

Think of a forgotten tradition and how you can make it practical this year, and do it! 

3. Donate to or volunteer with those in need. Winter is a time for giving and charity. Give back to your community this year with a family trip to volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen. Go with your kids or grandkids to pick out toys to donate to toy drives. There may even be people you know personally who could benefit from some holiday cheer. You could surprise a lonely neighbor who you know doesn’t have any family to see with baked goods from your family.  The giving possibilities are endless and even more fun when done together.  

Families have all sorts of traditions. There are many annual winter activities and recipes unique to our families that we look forward to year after year. It never hurts to add another activity to enjoy again next year.