Time to Trade in That Holiday Tradition?

Time to Trade in That Holiday Tradition?

What happens when a holiday tradition causes more stress than the good it provides? Although family traditions are a source of strength, keeping them can sometimes become burdensome, especially when there has been a change in the family structure due to marriage, divorce, or death.

You can create new family traditions as your family changes. Families may need to adapt and accommodate activities caused by extended family schedules. If this means not celebrating the holiday on the calendar date, so be it. Remember, it’s not about the date; it’s about coming together and spending time as a family.

Creating new rituals does not have to be complicated. Newlyweds and new parents do it all the time. You create a family tradition when you do the same things over and over. It is okay to change the way things have always been in order to meet the needs of your family as it is today. It may feel a little different at first, but be open-minded and remember that the important thing is spending time together, not stressing and arguing over how it will be done.

This holds true for food preparation as well. If the tradition has always been a large dinner, but family members are coming and going, it may be worth exploring the option of serving foods that keep well and are easy to prepare and serve.

This holiday season I am not baking cookies. For years I have baked cookies and candy for neighbors and friends. With time being an issue this year, I will make and deliver yeast bread with a jar of jam. It is okay to change a tradition that I have followed for many years. Are there traditions you can change to make life easier? Remember the important part of the holiday season is spending time together and if you are in the kitchen, this may limit the amount of time you have to spend with loved ones.