Holidays bring various family traditions that shape how we all celebrate the festive season. Some traditions are passed down from grandparents to their grandchildren, and other traditions are created spontaneously in the magic of a Christmas moment. From Thanksgiving potluck around a farmhouse table to leaving out cookies and milk for jolly visitors, this time of year can be exciting for little ones but can also feel overwhelming at times. Making magical moments may seem simple enough, but just ask the magic makers, and they will reveal that planning is key and that you should always expect multiple bumps in the road.
Families today are met with more challenges in getting the family together for the holidays. There are multiple grandparents, blended families, and friends that feel like family to consider when organizing the gatherings. How does your family experience the holiday season and make sure everyone and all the traditions are included?
In this month’s feature, The Holiday Tug-of-War, the author reminds us that as families grow and change, it is important to be flexible and open-minded this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. What once was a small table with just immediate family enjoy turkey and dressing might now be a much larger gathering at a local venue or family style restaurant. For my family, we have spent Thanksgiving dinner in various places, including grandma’s house, a rented venue overlooking the lake, and in Epcot’s Italy pavilion. The meals looked vastly different too, with turkey at grandma’s, a catfish fry by the lake, and a pizza by the slice in “Italy”. It is not what is on the table, but who is around it that is most important. Making room for more family to gather may mean stepping out of that traditional comfort zone and finding a new way to make the magical memories.
Another reminder is to be flexible on your dates. Even though Christmas morning has always been celebrated under the tree on December 25, it might be impossible to make that date work for everyone. Yes, this one could be a difficult tradition to adjust, but it can be done. As our family and extended family grew, we had to create a new Christmas tradition. There are eleven grandkids on my side of the family, and it was becoming too stressful for the grandparents to give each house equal time on Christmas morning. So, what did we do? My Christmas morning adjusted to a day or two after, and my sister’s adjusted to a day or two before. With three homes to celebrate in, together we decided the best solution was to rotate our Christmas morning each year. The date does not make the holiday; the joy experienced by all makes for a special holiday season.
Don’t forget to check out this year’s Holiday Happenings Guide to start your planning for a fun, festive season on The Plains. From parades to tree lightings and snow on Main Street, this year will be merry and bright. From one parent to another, with just a little bit of planning and staying flexible with traditions, your holidays together will be filled with peace and joy!
