Whether you’re planning on welcoming a new member to your family this year or you’re just looking to create some new memories with your loved ones, family traditions are a great way to create new experiences with your people that can be passed on from generation to generation.
You may have some beloved holiday rituals that you look forward to every year, but traditions don’t have to be saved just for the holidays. Here are five wonderful family traditions you should start this year that your family will look forward to for years to come.
Get in the picture
Thanks to the invention of smartphones, we tend to have an endless array of family photos at our fingertips, but how many of those pictures contain your entire family? Create a tradition of having a family portrait done — either professionally or simply having someone take a picture for you on your smartphone — at the same time each year (or month, whichever time is convenient). Enjoy looking back at how much your family has grown and changed from year to year.
Take a family vacation
Family vacations don’t have to be expensive trips to lavish resorts, especially if you’re trying to make your vacation a family tradition. All you need for the ultimate family vacation is to all be together during the same time each year. Maybe you want to create a tradition over the summer months or maybe during the holidays. Whether you’re traveling or planning a staycation, this will be one tradition the entire family will look forward to.
Create a birthday tradition
Everyone loves a birthday celebration, so why not create something special and make it a birthday tradition? Maybe it’s taking the birthday child shopping to buy something special, letting them pick the birthday meal, or maybe decorating their room while they sleep for their birthday. Whatever you choose, they’ll no doubt look forward to their birthday tradition as it approaches each year.
Volunteer
It’s easier to teach your children about the value of giving back to their community by setting the example yourself, which is why it’s a great idea to create a family tradition around volunteering. Whether it’s something you do annually or monthly or whenever you can, taking your kids to volunteer teaches them about gratitude, giving back, and being contributing members of the community.
Takeout night
There’s nothing better than a regularly scheduled takeout night to bring the family together. Maybe you like to have a “fun food Friday night” or perhaps you like to hit your favorite local restaurant for Sunday lunch. Whichever you choose, having a set day to order takeout or go to a restaurant together is something that both parents and kids will look forward to.
Traditions can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. The most important thing is that you follow these traditions on the schedule that works for your family. You may be surprised at how excited your little one gets for their door to be decorated on their birthday or to go to their favorite restaurant for dinner with the entire family. It’s never too late to start your own family traditions that will be carried on for years to come!
