Holiday traditions and family

It is that time of year again. The time to go Christmas shopping at the crowded mall or the nearest department store to buy the newest gadgets or the new toys that will complete your Christmas list. As we take this time of the year to reflect on the holiday season, let’s take time for the family and reflect on setting family traditions.

What are family traditions? Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the family going out to pick a Christmas tree together and decorating it, sitting around a Christmas tree opening gifts, visiting Santa, going to church and watching a Christmas play or watching a Christmas parade are just a few examples of Christmas traditions.

Every family that celebrates Christmas may have their own traditions and sometimes as families blend together through marriage, family traditions change and become altered. The important thing to understand is how the traditions through the holiday season bring the family together to help make memories and assist in creating family bonds.

These memories are something that people and families can hold for a lifetime. Memories are something that are sacred and dear to one’s heart. When we think about the “magic” of Christmas, we are creating or recreating a good memory in our mind of a tradition that will be or has been a happy experience. The experience is usually associated with a happy holiday experience with friends and family. We may also be remembering family members who are no longer with us, but the memories we have of the loved ones in our hearts help us hold on to our traditions.

Sometimes it is easy to forget about the old holiday traditions when we have new ones such as Black Friday or is it Thursday? Not really sure.

People get up early (or don’t go to bed) and go out to get the “best” deal or bargain of the holiday season. It was once said that a bargain is something that you really don’t need, but you can get it at a good price. I’m just wondering if the Black Thursday/Friday tradition is starting to squeeze out the family Thanksgiving tradition. If the Thanksgiving tradition fades away, what impact will that have on the family unit during the traditional Thanksgiving meal or holiday?

As I stated, traditions do change over time. Each of us has our own value system and what we think is important in our lives. When comparing one tradition with another, one should also value the trade off of holding on to or letting go of a tradition. If the tradition should engender bad memories about your childhood, let it go. If the tradition reflects upon fond memories of loved ones hold on to it in your heart, replicate it and cherish it.

Take the time for your family whatever season it is and through whatever tradition you have. Share yourself with your family, friends and children. Most of all I would like to say to everyone…have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Emil Knowles is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor with an office in Green Cove Springs.