Celebrate!
Building Relationships through Holidays and Traditions
Valentine’s Day
After the kids go to sleep I hang streamers in their doorways with hearts attached all up and down them. On the hearts we have written the things we love about that child. When they wake up in the morning they have a "love curtain" hanging in their doorway...they leave them up for a while and keep the hearts. Cindy Jermasek
Valentine's Day is a great time for heart attacks.....heart trails then lead to a special breakfast or Valentine's treat. Debbie Rollins
For Valentine's Day the girls help me make homemade heart suckers for their friends to give as Valentine's. I always give their teachers fudge. Heather Kearns
When my kids were little, I made heart shaped cookies that I frosted white then decorated with rosebuds and leaves, a reverse shell boarder and a name of each child on a cookie. That was my child's valentine. Mischell Shapiro
Each Valentine’s Day we have a formal dinner as a family. Each child has a box of chocolates waiting for them and a heart felt, specific love letter that I write for them waiting at their place setting. This is something I did with my family growing up and always loved. Camille Ebert
St. Patrick’s Day
On St. Patrick’s Day, at our house the naughty "leprechauns" come while the kids are asleep and trash the house and leave little treasures behind. Here is what I do: after the kids go to sleep we turn over chairs and tables...barstools upside down on the counters, couches tipped on their sides, you get the picture. We also put green food coloring in all the toilets in the house, and in the milk; the leprechauns turned it green! I also scatter shamrocks all over the floors and leave a trail going from the kids doors to little "pots o' gold". (mini caldrons filled with chocolate coins) I get these at a party store. Some years I have just scattered gold chocolate coins all over. I kind of make it up as I go along. My kids love it...even my full grown kids want me to do it! Cindy Jermasek
A boiled dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage with lots of veggies, and Irish Soda Bread is how we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This is a whole family meal, and scheduled to accommodate us all. Gail Murphy
For St. Patrick's Day, my grandchildren like to make a Leprechaun trap to try and catch the Leprechaun that comes to their house. They have yet to catch one but he always leaves signs that he's been there.....a shamrock trail that leads to little prizes and gold chocolate coins. He's also been known to turn the toilet water green! Debbie Rollins
Easter
We love to have a big Easter egg hunt. To make it fun for the older kids we put money (coins and bills) in many of the eggs. Julia Blake
We have collected hand painted eggs from throughout Eastern Europe. Each Easter we gather large twigs and bind them together, creating a tree. We place it in a clear glass container, with pastel M&Ms holding it in place at the bottom. We then decorate the tree with over 280 eggs. Our daughter’s favorite part of the tradition is eating the M&Ms after Easter! Christin Harding
April Fools Day
I always play tricks on the kids for April Fools Day. One trick that they fell for and we all thought was so funny was the year that I put a “Wet Paint! Go to the back door.” sign on the front door. With no suspicion, they all walked around back after school. On the back door was a “Wet Paint! Go to the front door”. It was so much fun to watch from the windows as some of them threw up their arm in frustration and others obediently headed back to the front door. The photographs that I snuck of them were great! Camille Ebert
On April Fool’s Day we make a dinner with a menu that has made up words for each item. Each dinner item, including the spoons and forks, ice cubes, etc., has to be ordered, but only a certain number of items can be ordered from the menu. Because they can’t understand the words, the kids end up ordering spaghetti sauce without the spaghetti, ice cubes without the beverage, etc. They think that it is so funny and beg to eat dinner this way every night! Camille Ebert
4th of July
Independence Day has become a big party day for us since moving to the zip code of 01776. We have a large picnic at our house for Bruce's co-workers treating them to homemade ice cream and homemade root beer. Bruce starts a fire in our fire pit and we canoe on the lake in our back yard. Mischell Shapiro
On the morning of the 4th of July, my mom would crank up the volume and play her John Philip Sousa CD while we marched around in our own family parade, waving little flags. It was a fun way to start the day, and there's nothing more patriotic to me than that music! Janelle Holt
Halloween
During the month of October as a neighborhood we have been 'Ghosting" each other for years!
Ghosting is fast becoming a popular Halloween tradition. Ghosting is a fun way to spread the Halloween spirit amongst friends and neighbors. This activity can begin any time in October but the first or second week of the month is the best, allowing sufficient time for the entire neighborhood to be "ghosted."
Typically, you will need to "ghost" two people or families.
You can do this with the following items
• Halloween goodie bags or brown paper sacks filled a treat(s).
• Picture of a ghost or tissue paper ghosts.
• Letter stating that "You've been ghosted" with simple how-to instructions to carry on the tradition.
After you have assembled your treat bags, ghosts, and letters, you should deliver them after dark to your target families by dropping one on each porch. Remain anonymous, so you don't get caught.
Letter:
You've Been Ghosted!
Late last night, we left you a treat. The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.
Take the ghost and pin it on your door, to let others know, you need ghosted no more.
Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise, to two more families, we must advise.
Gather some treats and deliver them soon, within two nights, under the light of the moon.
Include a ghost with each package you give, along with this poem for the tradition to live.
Adrene Gorman
On Halloween the kids love eating Hot Dog mummies. Just wrap hot dogs with refrigerator breadsticks to look like mummies, and bake. Dot yellow mustard for the eyes. Heather Kearns
Thanksgiving
In November and December I have a holiday baking bin in my home. When I bake anything, I buy a can or box for us and one for the bin. When it’s full we donate it to a food bank or family in need. Heather Kearns
On Thanksgiving, we have a piece of paper next to everyone's place which has the following categories: Description of person, character traits (List 3), likes (list 3) dislikes (list 3), tell a story about this person, what is something you like about this person? You turn the piece of paper over to find the name of the person you need to describe. This works well for family members but will also work well for someone you haven't met - just ask! Jenny Bluhm
For 20 plus years our family and the Foster's gather at our home for Thanksgiving dinner. We each prepare and bring our favorites, adding new recipes now and then. We started as 12 - 4 adults and 8 children with an open invitation to visitors (one year a German foreign exchange joined us). Now, we are 6 Adults and 2 children (grandchildren) with children now adults, keeping favorite recipes as part of their tradition...this is fun. Usually, the fire in the fireplace welcomes someone for a nap, followed by dessert, and a movie the Foster's share, or sometimes there is live music. Gail Murphy
In November, in preparation for Thanksgiving, we focus our family prayers on just saying prayers of gratitude; not asking for things. Heather Kearns
As I decorate the Thanksgiving table, I place pieces of Indian corn on each plate. Before eating, we pick up each piece of corn and say something we are grateful for. Heather Kearns
During November, make a paper or cardboard Thanksgiving tree. Every morning or night during the month of November, each member of the family will write something they are grateful for on a paper leaf and put it back on the tree. Jamie Larsen
One of our favorite traditions is our annual pie night the night before Thanksgiving.
About 12 years ago, our mothers, who were both great pie makers and close friends, decided
that they didn't get to enjoy their pies as much as they would like to since they were always served after the Thanksgiving meal. They decided the pies would be thoroughly enjoyed if eaten the night before Thanksgiving, and it would get everybody ready for the next day’s festivities. Since then, our family has had an annual pie night where we invite family and friends over to the house to share with each other the pies that everybody makes. The only requirement is that you show up with a pie and an appetite. Nicky Henstrom
Christmas
Each Christmas morning, our children would awake to a box waiting at their bedroom door. Inside, it would have a snack and perhaps a new toy or book. The children were so excited to see what treat was waiting for them! It was the perfect solution to keep children who awoke at the crack of dawn happy and entertained for a little longer while the parents, who had been up all night putting together toys, slept just a little longer. Roxanne Becker
Growing up on Christmas Eve, my parents and nine siblings would
attend the Nutcracker matinee. Afterward, we would split up and
finish our Christmas shopping and then meet my extended family at our
house for Christmas Eve dinner. After the party, my mom gave each of
us our Christmas pajamas and my dad gave us a family gift. Jenny Zwick
We make cookies during the first week of December and then we deliver them to families and friends...we hang the box with the goodies on their houses' door handle and leave. Laura Pinto
We read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever every year before Christmas. Jenny Bluhm
It has been a tradition that in November we make home-made Christmas cards as a family, mostly on Sundays and Mondays, and recount our blessings and the many people who mean so much to us. Laura Pinto
During the month of December, we use a Swedish tradition similar to lighting a Menorah--"adventsljusstake". There are 4 candles in the beautifully-painted holder, and you light one on the first Sunday of the month, then 2 the next Sunday, and so on. While the candle is burning, we turn on the Christmas tree lights and read part of a book that illustrates the Primary Song "The Nativity Song." It is beautiful and outlines the Christmas story in a simple way for children. We divide up the book to fit in the 4 Sundays. At the end of the month, the candles make a stair-step, which looks nice in the holder. Janelle Holt
We made "Christmas Story Boxes" and gave them to our married daughters and their families that consist of the Christmas story, scriptures, songs, and all the necessary costumes for the wise men, shepherds, angels, Mary & Joseph. Then when it's time to reenact the story, there's no scrambling around to locate all the necessary parts for the program. Debbie Rollins
For a Christmas gift to help my kids stay connected with cousins, we pick out a fun paperback christmas book and have our kids write in the cover and then send to all cousins. Heather Kearns
Where ever we are, near or far, we gather in time to hear the Dolan's Carol at our steps, delighting in their singing and seeing who joins them. There is always good music and yummy Pumpkin Bread Rosalie makes. We share Gingerbread people. Gail Murphy
We have a manger scene advent calender. The kids love it and it is in the center of our home during December. Heather Kearns
On Christmas morning we make ebilskivers (a traditional Danish pancake) and serve them with honey butter as part of our special Christmas breakfast. I also have a friend who makes honey butter every year and gives that as a gift to all of her friends. Debbie Rollins
After reading and talking/acting out the Christmas story on Christmas, we sing Christmas songs at a retirement home and then come back to our house for an inspirational message and cookie decorating. Heather Kearns
I always give homemade gifts of fudge or kettle corn or caramel apples to neighbors and friends during the holidays. Heather Kearns
We read as a family: "The Night Before Christmas", "The Polar Express", and "The Christmas Story". Gail Murphy
A friend of mine takes all of the photo Christmas cards she receives from her closest friends and each year adds them to a big ring clip so she can watch the families change through the years. It's so fun to watch as the families grow and as they add spouses and grandchildren. Debbie Rollins
We prepared Christmas stockings for our parents, and in time, our moms as their fun find for Christmas morning. The excitement was intense for this, also, because the objective was not to be caught. Gail Murphy
Dave, our son-in-law, continues his family tradition (Canadian) of preparing meat pies for Christmas morning breakfast... Yummy homemade crust, and Chicken, Beef, or Pork filling. Gail Murphy
We always sleep under our Christmas Tree a few nights before Christmas. We set up sleeping bags and cuddle up under the tree with the lights on and read Christmas stories and eat yummy treats. This was much easier when my kids were little...last year with Alex, Trevor,Erika, Hanna, Doug and I, all trying to get a spot under the tree was hysterical. (Side note-Doug and I always wait till the kids fall asleep and then sneak up to our comfy bed.!) Cindy Jermasek
We always open one gift on Christmas Eve and it is always pajamas. Cindy Jermasek
My daughter takes the special photo Christmas cards from her family and friends and makes them into laminated place mats for their family to enjoy throughout the year. Debbie Rollins
Our Christmas tradition is to save our change all year long in a large glass Christmas jar. At Christmas time we give the jar of change to a needy family. We love deciding who to give the jar to and enjoy the excitement of dropping it off at the person’s house and hiding while they receive our gift. Mary Alice Hatch
When we gather for our big family Christmas party, we have a family talent program with each person participating in an individual or group musical number, performing a reading or poem and sharing the talents they have been working on throughout the year. Debbie Rollins
When we travel we try to buy, from the area, a Christmas ornament with special meaning. For example, we met a lady on the trolly when visiting Plymouth, MA. We so enjoyed talking with her; although we didn't buy a decoration there, when we came home we created a Cranberry bow. Cranberry because Ocean Spray Visitor Center is in Plymouth, and the bow is for remembering the kind lady we met. Gail Murphy
One year when my children were tiny, our Relief Society put together an advent calendar. We all met and sewed the most intricate creations, with sequence, applique and beads. We brought it out each Christmas, pulling out the decorations to hang on the calendar. Forty years later, my children still insist on pulling out the calendar each year! Roxanne Becker
Every Christmas Eve, we invite folks over for dinner, and much more, After dinner, we read the Christmas story, share talents and play the games "Christmas fruit salad" and "Pauvre le petit chat". The kids open Christmas pjs and sibling gifts. Roz Hawk
When I grew up in Latin America, the Christmas celebration was more of a community feast. You went around to visit people, friends, neighbors and family, sing and dance with them, and eat delicious treats prepared only for that season. As a kid it is much more fun because you get to play with fireworks; nothing big, all age appropriate. Many companies give their employees two weeks off starting with the Monday of the week of Christmas ending with January 1, people dress in their best outfits for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve because that's when the celebration takes place. There is a lot of excess in everything. It is a time to gather with family and be merry. I think the fact that the weather is warm and people are outdoors makes for a more enjoyable tradition. Now, as a family, we usually visit my husband's sisters for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and have dinner. We open gifts exactly at midnight on Christmas Eve. Lesly Perez
Starting several days before Christmas Eve I would bake between 20 - 30 loaves of Pumpkin Bread, then put them in plastic bags tied with Christmas ribbons. I made enough for the members of the Ward who live in Maynard and Sudbury, as well as some of our neighbors and other friends in Maynard. On Christmas Eve, we gathered our children (and grandchildren when they lived close by or were visiting) and went to McDonald's or Wendy's for dinner. This was to save Mom from having to cook and clean up on Christmas Eve! After we ate, we headed out to deliver the breads and sing Christmas Carols at each house. Some years, we needed up to 3 cars to hold all the family members. Dad planned the route so we could make the trip in an organized manner. At each house we would sing 2 Christmas Carols, followed by our rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" during which a bread was handed to the occupants. We made it a policy not to go into any of the homes, in order to save time. With 20 to 30 homes to visit, there was no time for socializing. After we got home, we would have hot chocolate and eat some of the treats our friends gave us as we visited them. I put this in the past tense, because most of our children no longer live close by or are able to visit at Christmas time. In fact, we have been away visiting them more than we have been home in recent years. But, this was something we did every year for at least 25 years. Rosalie Dolan
We used to exchange a gift with our friend Mr. Bohunicky. The excitement was intense, for the whole objective was not to be caught. The likelihood that he was at our house with the same objective was really great. Gail Murphy
Growing up, Santa sent an elf to watch over the Deane family. With 7 kids, Mom couldn't keep track of each kid alone, so Santa sent back up. His name was Xavier. He would watch through the windows and report back to Santa, who in return, would write a letter to us kids telling us what we needed to improve on. Sometimes he was VERY specific. Xavier has come to the Zatylny house ever since Jacob was born. Somehow Santa always gets good reviews and he leaves a note with a new Christmas movie for the kids to watch each year. We usually get it around the same time we set up the Christmas tree and watch it while we unwrap and hang ornaments. I love waiting for the kids to find the note from Santa with Xavier's report and discover the hidden movie. I think even Marko (who has been dubbed Scrooge) enjoys the kids finding the movie and note from Santa. Ilene Zatylny
Since so many of my girlfriends now live far apart from one another, our "Girlfriend Get Together" has become more and more special. Every Christmas season (since we are all usually in or around our hometown at that time) we gather at someone's home and do a gift exchange. We spend no more than $15 and we take one thing that we absolutely loved that year and wrap it up. At our get together we then draw numbers and open the gifts, white elephant style. It's been a fun way to get to know each other and what neat things we just loved that year, such as great new nail polish color, an awesome "Target find", because what woman doesn't love that store?!, a cleaning supply we can't live without, that new vegetable peeler that makes peeling a breeze, etc. I love this time with my dear friends and look forward to it every year. Whitney Fink
Christmas morning we open the surprises in our stockings, then before opening our gifts we "remember and dedicate" our day. Jim sits on the hearth and says "this is the time we stop and remember..." each of us can share our ideas. For example, someone might suggest remembering a family member, our servicemen and women, and last but not the least "gratitude"; however, the Spirit moves us. We began this in 1985 when my brother Barry died suddenly from an accident. So strong was our emotion and so strong was the "Spirit", this helped us greatly then, and continues now. Waiting isn't as difficult as you might think, as a matter of fact, we are reminded if needed. Gail Murphy
This isn't a tradition of mine, but I have been a recipient of it and I think it is so neat. During Christmas, instead of giving a gift to her parents, my friend takes the money she would have spent toward a gift to them (at their request) and gives something to someone in need. On Christmas my friend and her siblings write what they did for others and wrap it up. Come Christmas morning their parents open these gifts of service and they talk about what was done. She said it really adds a special spirit to Christmas morning. One year, when I was a 3rd grade teacher, my friend surprised me and my students. I taught in a school with primarily English Language Learners in a tougher part of town. We had almost zero parent participation and funding for field trips or any extras in the classroom was tight. My friend purchased school supplies and walked into my classroom one day, showering the kids with newly sharpened pencils, crisp white paper, crayons, glue, and individual white boards with dry erase markers. It was such a treat for my students! It was something so basic, but was a true delight for these kids. Whitney Fink
Here is a fun activity I did with my girls for many years. Not only did we enjoy sprinkling this on the front lawn on Christmas Eve but we loved sharing this with other families and neighbors as an embellishment on a wrapped Christmas gift.
Supplies
Raw Oatmeal Glitter (I use a silver or gold base and mix red and green in with it) Small plastic lunch baggies Gold ribbon Paper or card-stock
How To Make It
1. Pour about 1/4 cup of oatmeal in baggie. Add some glitter. Close baggie.
2. Attach with ribbon to the front of the baggie the following message. "On Christmas Eve, sprinkle this wonderful Reindeer Food on your lawn. The shiny glitter will sparkle in the moonlight and the smell of oats will guide Rudolph to your home."
Adrene Gorman
When our children were little, we had Christmas pajamas, and now that everyone is married, we still have Christmas pajamas, whether we are all together or not. I iron a patch on the tops that say "Shapiro Family -Christmas 20whatever, and the grandchildren get matching jammies. Mischell Shapiro
Every Christmas morning we light a raging fire and play Amy Grant's Christmas CD--our very favorite Christmas Album. Sherlyn Jenkins
For Christmas each kid gets to pick one box of cereal and a liter of soda for him/herself. We don't have a lot of sugared cereal or soda during the year so this is a treat for them. This tradition was started by my parents when I was a child and it's one of my fondest. Julia Blake
Christmas is the most traditional day of the year in our house. On Christmas morning everyone gathers in our room as they wake up. When everyone is up, then Mike and I go downstairs to get ready for the kids to come down by lighting a fire in the fireplace, turning on the Christmas tree lights, turning on Christmas music, and getting out the video camera. With the camera rolling everyone comes downstairs to see what Santa brought. Now that the kids are older Santa doesn't leave anything out - everything is wrapped. After the kids have had sufficient time to look over the Santa gifts we go to the wrapped gifts under the tree. Gifts are opened one at a time following in order and everyone watches while each gift is opened. We have brunch after the gift opening and a nice meal in the evening. At the close of the day everyone arranges their gifts on their bed or on the couch. I videotape each child telling what they got for Christmas and who gave it to them. As the kids have gotten older they resist this so I took on the job of telling what they got and who gave it to them. I also take a still picture of their gift collection. Since all the kids are older now we don't really do most of this stuff but this is the way it was for years. Darsi Dowling
I give a dated Christmas ornament to each of our children's families.
-We always have Christmas eve dinner.
-Christmas morning, Santa presents can be looked at and played with only after the whole family is gathered.
-After a breakfast of waffles, oj., and bacon, we open one present at a time, taking turns and saying thank-you to the giver. The opener selects the next present to be opened and then gives the next present to the next opener. Mischell Shapiro
This came from Chuck's family: We collect Christmas decorations throughout the year when we go places. When we decorate the tree sometime around the first of December, we spread all the decorations out and draw numbers to establish what order we will go in. We then each pick an ornament and say something we remember about that memory as we decorate. We try to pop corn and turn on Christmas music. Jamie Larsen
There are so many extended family events around the holidays that we used to feel like we didn't have special time with our daughters to celebrate. We have recently chosen to stay as a nuclear family for Christmas Eve and graciously bow out of the extended events as we end up seeing them the next day anyway. For Christmas Eve dad and mom each get to pick an activity for the family. Last year we went ice skating and then to the Enchanted Village in Avon. It was a nice way to remember we can have fun together. Becky Cyr
We try to read the Forgotten Christmas Carols by Michael McLean every year. Sherlyn Jenkins
Every Christmas Eve as a family we go to Boston in the late afternoon. We will go to Fanueil Hall for a bit then walk over to the North End for a treat from Mike's Pastry Shop. Then we walk down to Christopher Columbus Park where they have the archway all in blue lights. At the playground there we will have a game of tag (if no snow) and even better a snowball fight. We always have the playground to ourselves! It is a great feeling to be so relaxed and enjoying each other’s company while we watch all the people scurrying here and there to do last minute shopping! The lights and sights are beautiful. After we leave the city we deliver baskets to friends on the way home. Beth Van Duzer
Our family LOVES strawberry crepes. Especially on Christmas morning and the 4th of July because of the red and white! (We add blueberries for the 4th of July.) Heather Kearns
I don't write a family Christmas letter, so instead I got a large bound scrapbook to post our Christmas card/photo from each year. Each person in our family, very casually, writes/doodles around the page their memories and highlights from the year---- favorite books they read that year, movies they saw, vacations we took, accomplishments, new friends, etc. Written word seems to be a lost art so it's a real treasure to have something with our handwriting on it. Lindsey Larsen
My mom had a Christmas stocking for each of us and an extra one for Jesus. It matched all of ours and had a baby in a manger on it. His stocking was a place for us to write notes to Jesus thanking him for something or someone. If we were too little to write we could draw a picture or simply write I - heart - U. My mom would later put them in the family Christmas album that she updated each year. While trying to find a picture of the stocking for this book, I came across some old notes that Mom had put in the album. In one of the notes my brother Jared wrote how he was thankful for Jesus' sacrifice for us and that the he planned on thanking Jesus by returning to him someday. What a wonderful thing to find as I am still coming to terms with his loss. Ilene Zatylny
New Year’ Eve/Day
We watch the ball drop on TV on New Year’s Eve. We then usually eat left overs and watch movies the next day in our PJs. The kids play with their new toys, we call long distance family members that we couldn’t visit and we plan our resolutions for the new year. Lesly Perez
When our kids were younger we could get away with celebrating New Year’s Eve a few hours early by setting the clocks ahead. That way they got to experience the event and we didn't have to pay for their tiredness the next day. Julia Blake
New Years eve I always make star root beer suckers to hand out. Heather Kearns
Last year, on New Year’s Day, we created place mats for the family. Each family member decorated two sheets of paper, one for 2009 and one for 2010. On the 2009 page they answered the following questions “In 2009, what was your favorite movie, song, book, outfit, and hobby.”, “What was your favorite moment in 2009?” “What accomplishment were you most proud of?” and “What was your favorite vacation?” They then decorated the page, representing the past year. On the 2010 page they answered the questions, “What do I want to accomplish in 2010?”, “What are your predictions for 2010?” and “What characteristics do you want to develop in 2010?”. They were then put together and laminated. We could reflect back over the year and be reminded of our goals for the new year each time we used them. Camille Ebert
We celebrate New Years Eve with a game of charades. Each item that must be acted out and guessed is something, usually an event, from the past year that we have experienced as a family. We have so much fun reliving and guessing what we had experienced over the past year. Camille Ebert
General Holidays
Sugar Cookie Decoration Contest - Valentines, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas we invite folks to come to a cookie decorating contest. We have dinner and then decorate sugar cookies with the appropriate theme - decorating MUST be taken very seriously and each participate must submit at least one cookie before they can eat any. Prizes are given - I am always the judge and I can be easily bribed with flattery i.e. any cookies that say "Mom rocks" or " Best Lil Sis" or any other such flattery most often will win a least one of the zillion categories. Roz Hawk
When my children were small, we had parties for holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween. For each of these parties, we made banners out of felt and fabric paint, glitter and ribbon for each occasion. The guests went home with a wall hanging, and my kids were able to make a craft that reminded them of a fun time with friends. Jenny Bluhm
For each holiday, my mom would make us a special lunch to take to school. For example, on St Patrick’s Day, she would get a green bag and pack a green drink (maybe sprite), a green rice krispie treat, chips or crackers in a green bag and usually a regular sandwich, unless the bagel shop had green bagels. Jenny Zwick
Birthdays
When our kids were younger with early bedtimes and Nate had his first job at Ropes and Gray with very late and unpredictable working hours, we found it easier to have a birthday breakfast rather than a birthday dinner on the kids’ birthdays. So everyone would get up around 6 am and have a big breakfast with the whole family, complete with dining room decorated with streamers and balloons, and gifts to open. Usually cinnamon buns for the "cake" with candles to blow out. We did this for about 5 or 6 years until Nate changed jobs and could be home for dinner.
Beth VanDuzer
On our birthdays, during dinner, we would say "Who remembers when ______ was born?" Then we would go around the table and take turns telling things about the day that person was born. If your family is small, it may be mostly mom and dad telling the details, but I had many older siblings who could give input, and as the years go on, children will remember details they were told before and be able to take a turn. It's a fun way to learn about "your story." Janelle Holt
Our family loves to celebrate birthdays, and because there are so many relatives in this area - we end up celebrating multiple birthdays at once. We gather at a family member's house, bring lots of goodies - someone may be in charge of the main meal while someone else may bring the desserts or drinks - and we have a fun feast. It is never really about the gifts (although the kids might feel a little differently about this) but rather the time that we can be together and just share in the joy of being together. We also play either charades or pictionary - and have a lot of laughs. It is a simple gathering, but has a lot of meaning to it and something I'm sure we will hold in our hearts for years to come. Carole Ann Baer
I made a "Happy Birthday" plate that we use on everyone's birthday. Jenny Bluhm
We celebrate the anniversary of the day we adopted each of our boys like a second birthday. They receive a gift, and get to choose what they want for dinner, or where they want to go for dinner. Pat Buchman
If you don't let the kids eat sugar cereal for breakfast...on their half birthday let them pick a box of cold cereal and everyone gets to eat it for breakfast. Jamie Larsen
On the kids birthday's we have started a new tradition of giving the special gift of alone time with Mom. I take them out shopping and to lunch. It is so special to do this on their birthdays! It is such a special reminder of the day they were born and the kids love it when I retell their baby stories to them. Heather Kearns
Growing up, on our birthdays, we would wake up to a beautifully decorated table with our presents and a candy necklace my mom made out of our favorite candy. When I got married, my mom gave me my own birthday tablecloth. For my two little boys and husband's birthdays,
I put the tablecloth on the table in the morning along with the presents and a candy necklace. We then have waffles with whipped cream and fruit and the birthday person gets to eat on the "you are special" plate. Jenny Zwick
From Sadie Eyre: Growing up every person in her family had their own birthday tradition. Her birthday was in August and based upon a children's story where the main character would float a cake in August, they too would go to Bear Lake in Utah and float her cake before they ate it. On her brother's birthday they would dress in costume and go bowling every year. On her Dad's birthday they would jump in leaves. So far the only birthday tradition we have is for Chuck's birthday. We go to the Deutsche Bank Golf Tournament in Norton, MA. The older boys now really look forward to this. (It is slowly growing on me!) Jamie Larsen
In our home, we celebrate birthdays by decorating the kitchen with streamers, balloons and a "Happy Birthday" banner printed out and placed in the panes of glass in the sliding door behind the table. The decorations are up by morning, to start the day. Each child picks their favorite dinner and any kind of dessert. We range from cake, to ice cream cake, to meringues with ice cream. The table is set with all the framed photos of that child being placed in the center of the table. Usually it is just a family affair, with gifts being opened after dinner. Julie Keenan
For birthdays I always pick one theme or characteristic I want to improve for the year. It has helped me to focus on myself in a realistic manner. I always share my theme with my family and it's inspired them to do the same. Becky Cyr
Unique Holidays
I love learning about and experiencing different cultures, so throughout the year we celebrate holidays from around the world. I do a little research and then each child is given a simple assignment, such as finding music on line for the country that we can listen to, making a quiz about the country, or looking on line for folk stories from country. Sophia’s job is always to point to where the country is on a globe! My job is usually to explain the holiday and how it is celebrated. While dinner is cooking, a travel video from the library of the country is usually showing on the TV. We then have a traditional meal from the country. Throughout the week I try to find activities involving the country, such as going to an ethnic market with the kids or finding a restaurant from the country that we can go to as a family. Camille Ebert
Seasons
You can have a seasonal themed dinner night. Like in the Fall, have Fondu night, during the Winter pick a month that you won't eat out at all and donate the money to a charity, etc. Jamie Larsen
Summer
We make it a point to have at least one campfire with s’mores during the summer. The kids look forward to roasting marshmallows and chatting around fire. Becky Lloyd
My kids have childhood friends who moved away come visit us every summer. Sherlyn Jenkins
I take the kids to six flags every summer, although I'd like to phase out that tradition! They like Water Country too. Sherlyn Jenkins
Fall
We go camping and apple picking every Columbus Day weekend in the White Mountain National Forest if it's not raining. Leaves are beautiful that time of year. Sherlyn Jenkins
Each fall for the past 3 years, we have celebrated what I have named "Be a Boy Day." We take our boys to Walden Pond when the leaves are changing, roll up their pants, deck them out in rain boots, and let them wade in the water and play with mud, sticks, rocks, buckets, etc. I'm usually not very willing to let them get dirty and messy, but this day I do. We just bring a change of clothes to get home. It also gives Ryan and I a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The boys have a fabulous time, and it's nice to be there when it isn't so crowded. Janelle Holt
In the fall our family goes to a local farm every Saturday morning to get cider donuts. Lindsey Larsen
Pumpkin stew
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
2lbs beef stew meat 1" cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion (I used powder)
2-3 garlic cloves (I used powder)
3-4 medium carrots thinly sliced
2-3 celery ribs thinly sliced
4 cups water (after making it I would even say maybe 3 1/2 cups)
1-2 bay leaves
1-2 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon o thyme
3 cups cubes peeled pumpkin
-in large resealable bag combine flour, salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add meat a few prices at a time and shake to coat.
In Dutch oven (I just used my large pan for everything and it worked) cook meat in oil and butter until no longer pink. Add onion and garlic. Cook and stir for 3 minutes.
- stir in carrots, celery, water, bay leaves, bouillon, thyme, and remaining pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/4 hours.
- stir in pumpkin. Return to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until meat and pumpkin are tender. Discard bay leaves.
Shawnee Miranda
Winter
We have a toasty fire in our fireplace every day during the winter. Sherlyn Jenkins
Weekly Traditions
Saturday night is Nacho Night - Every Saturday we make Nachos and play games or watch a family movie. Roz Hawk
We eat homemade buttermilk pancakes before church on Sundays. Sherlyn Jenkins
We like to watch movies, so every Friday we have movie night. Some weeks a really great movie will come out and instead of movie night at home, we will go to theater together. Becky Lloyd
When we think of traditions, we reflect often on the celebratory, times of bows and tinsel. Mine takes me back to Sunday dinners at my grandparent’s home in Sudbury, Massachusetts, particularly to my grandmother’s tender homemade pasta and her famous sauce, or “suga" as she would say in her Italian mountain dialect.
Suga Sundays at Grandma’s
“Blow!” she said to me. That, creamy, hot, sweet, red “suga” quickly permeated my slice of white bread, an okay substitute for homemade pasta to come. It was twice the pleasure in an enduring moment, both for the fragrance of my grandmother’s sauce as I drew in the breath used to cool the ragu and because of the delectable bite into her rich talent. This ritual, a little floating island between hunger and satiation, I anticipated eagerly. The taste of her sauce always felt to me remarkable and new.
My two brothers and I starved regularly, not because we were poor, but because we were swept up in the family’s Sunday magic – dinner at Grandma’s. Mom wouldn’t let us eat all day until Grandma served her pasta.
Mark and Claude just scampered outside to play. They inevitably found themselves at the other end of Poppi’s ear as he regaled stories, usually about how he was going to outsmart the gopher who feasted his way through our grandfather’s garden every summer. Luigi showed them the BB gun and the traps he had used previously. This time, he told them, if he placed the snares in another spot, he would have his thief.
But I knew the best place for a reward was by grandmother’s apron, listening to lessons about pasta making. I loved to watch her finger the dough, she the pianist, the flour and eggs, the keys.
More eggs for the rich, fewer if they were poor, when it came to pasta fa en casa. Most in Offida, the little town in Le Marche, Italy, where Bruna was born, used one or two, as was the case with Prudenza Grilli, her mother and my mother’s grandmother. Bruna Ridolfi, homemade sauce and pasta champion, happily formed a pool of cracked eggs in the center of the flour – twelve! Her prize for life in America.
Three p.m., but not always on the mark, and it was time for our four-course meal: three helpings of pasta (my grandmother only allowed no less than three), followed by the meats used in cooking the sauce, a roast something, often chicken; I got the onion with the cloves, salad… later fruit and cheese.
Zeal pitched as courses passed… above heads and in between Luigi and Uncle Robert, who loved their arguments, especially about religion and politics. Tooled with wine glasses and hands waving center table, they blurted out opinions. My levelheaded father and my “balanced” Libran mother mediated. Grandma served perpetually. Whatever their spat, my grandfather would always finish with “becawsa, becawsa, becawse.” His solution to all.
Mark, Claude and I listened with ping-pong curiosity and drank down our wine coolers (wine watered with ginger ale). The meal ended around eight or nine p.m.
Later, Anita and Joe piled us three into the car. We only lived up the road from our grandparent’s home in Sudbury, but it was easier to use a car. They then would tuck us into warm beds, while crazy, sweet adventures seeped into our dreams much like Grandma’s suga did into the bread. Elaine Sangiolo
Monthly Traditions
Fast Sunday interviews - We just started on this one, but basically every fast Sunday each kid has a chat with Dad for him to check in and hear about something going on in their lives. Roz Hawk
Building Relationships
We try to take the kids out on one-on-one dates regularly (one child and one parent). Julia Blake
Anna and I get tickets to see a musical at Tuacahn each summer when we are visiting my parents. We do this with my sisters and their daughters - it's a great girls night out especially since boys dominate our lives. Julia Blake
My husband and I take turns taking one of the kids out on a date once a week. Some fun ideas are going to a bookstore or library, going to the park to play or just kick a ball around, going to lunch or breakfast, or always a winner, Ice Cream. The key is to use these alone moments to LISTEN and not talk. Heather Kearns
When dinner is over the little boys like to push the chairs back in the living room and 'wrestle' with their dad. It's a great way to celebrate Dad being home from work. Julia Blake
Coming of Age
A tradition I have heard of from a family that I want to do, is when a boy turns 12 and receives the priesthood, the very next conference that the boy can attend the priesthood session of conference, the dad takes him to Utah and goes to the Conference Center session - this experience lets the young man gets a sense of the magnitude and power that he is now a part of. Roz Hawk
A celebration that I love is the quinceanera which is a celebration of the 15th birthday for girls, families invest so much money and energy on putting together this party. Dances are orchestrated in honor of the quinceanera she will also dance the waltz with her dad, the shoe exchange takes place were she comes in wearing a slipper and leaves wearing high heels, meaning the passage from a little girl to womanhood. She will have a dance partner and 14 other girls, boys or couples all her age. Back then, when I was 15, it was traditional to wear pink. These days most wear white, meaning virtue or purity. Not that we weren’t virtuous; that age back then we just left white for the wedding. Some of the gifts she receives are a bible or a poem. The celebration starts with a mass or a religious thanksgiving assembly. Most girls look forward to this day. (Unlike my sister who she preferred to have the monetary gift (substantial) than to get a birthday party.) I remember for mine, I wasn't used to wearing high heals and with being on my feet for so many hours, plus they were brand new, the memory of the next day blisters is what sticks up in my head! Lesly Perez
New School Year
Before the school year starts each year my husband gives the kids blessings. It's special to take notes of the blessing to save for them.
Heather Kearns
Dinner Time
Being on the run almost every night, we rarely get to sit down and have a meal at the table. Whenever we do, we are reminded to talk about our days, but I would often get the "fine" "nothing" or "boring" responses from my boys when I asked about their day. To put some thought into what their answers we came up "What was the BEST part of your day?" and to be realistic, "What was the WORST part of your day?" We all have bad parts of the day - and we need to acknowledge that. We laugh and cheer for one another when someone gets a good grade, helps a friend or finally makes it across the monkey bars without falling down. We also feel sad, and give helpful hints when someone skins a knee, does poorly on a test, or makes a bad choice that ends them up inside for recess.
Over the last year, we have had great discussions that have stemmed from our 2 questions. A lot of times we have even come to realize that we didn't have a "worst" part of the day, and that there were several "best" parts - making it too hard to choose just one. Things that used to be the worst (school) have now become the best (school!). We have had several meals where we laugh and laugh because of the things that are shared...especially since Harper has picked up on it and has become the one to ask each of us, "Wha'sah bes par ah ya day?" Ilene Zatylny
Family Night
On Family Night, kids take turns setting the table, lighting candles and picking the topic for dinner conversation. (The best topics are things like, "what did you do when you were little that was dangerous.") Jamie Larsen
We always sing 'When the Family Gets Together' and 'Family Night' to start our Family Home Evening. I start singing loudly because people are scattered around the house. Everyone knows that means it's time to congregate in the Living Room. They join in singing and by the time both songs are over we are all sitting down and ready to go. We started this when our oldest kids were little and didn't know how cheesy it was. They are now good sports to go along with it for the benefit of our young kids. Julia Blake
Baptism
On the day that each one of my daughters was baptized, I gave them the most precious gift that I could give them, which was to bear, with all of my heart, my testimony. During the baptismal program I explained to them that this was my gift to them and proceeded to share with them what is most precious to me. Christin Harding
Wedding
There are 10 kids in my family and five of us are girls. For each sister's wedding, we have our tiered wedding cake plus 5 smaller cakes representing each of the girls. Jenny Zwick
General Conference
Our General Conference tradition is that we always eat sticky buns and oven omelette. The kids love it and always look forward to it. I've included the oven omelette recipe:
Prepare night before use
16 Frozen Rhode's Rolls into bundt pan (spray with non stick spray).
Melt 1/2 cube of butter and mix with 1/2 cup brown sugar-pour over rolls
Then sprinkle 1/2 bag of butterscotch cook'n serve pudding mix over rolls.
(May add pecans as desired also, though we tend not too.)
Cover with Saran Wrap (sprayed with non stick spray) over night
In morning-preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook for 15 minutes uncovered then 15 minutes covered loosely with tinfoil. Nicky Henstrom
General Conference has been a great time for our family to gather with family and friends. We love to make special food and as we watch conference, having activities for the kids (and some of the adults) is a great way to keep them engaged in listening to conference. We play Bingo with words from the talks, draw pictures of the person who is speaking, take a word from a bowl and if your word is mentioned in the talk- you get a treat or small prize. Debbie Rollins
Scripture Study
We read scriptures at the dinner table before people get up. It's the method that has helped us be most consistent with our family scripture study. Julia Blake
During nightly scripture study, our younger children read out of a children’s version of the scriptures. They then act out the story that they read and the older children guess which story they have portrayed. Afterwards we rotate through the family members, focusing on one person per night. Each family member says something good about the spotlighted family member, including the person who is receiving the compliments. They are then the person who says the nightly family prayer. (The only problem is that if we don’t keep track of who is supposed to be spotlighted, a fight breaks out over whose turn it is to hear “good things” about them self! We all love doing this!) Camille Ebert
Service
We like to volunteer as a family sorting food at food banks or here at local service counsels and bishop’s storehouses. Heather Kearns
Doorbell Ditching: I love finding fun things to share with friends - but just handing them off is no fun. To make it more interesting for the kids, we started doorbell ditching fun things at people's door. It doesn't always run smoothly. Sometimes we get caught. Sometimes I get a text immediately after the ditch, thanking us (some people have figured us out). Sometimes we get too excited and run back with the ditched item still in our hands. Whatever happens we have a good time and love hearing the "THANK YOU!!" that is sometimes yelled into the night. We never admit to it, even to someone who knows it was us! Ilene Zatylny
We have two favorite family service projects they are 1.) Taking the kids to their favorite park to pick up trash 2.) Organizing hymn books and picking up trash before or after Sacrament Meeting. It is our hope that the kids will have a better appreciation. Heather Kearns
We have a new tradition going on in our home. Since we purchased baby looms, do to our RS service project, my daughters have loved celebrating the baby births of their teachers at school,
relatives, and women they babysit. They have loomed 5 hats in the past 6 months for new babies! As long as there is yarn and babies being born I am sure we will continue to keep looming special gifts for special babies! The looms have been a great service project as well as a way to personally celebrate a new addition. Adrene Gorman
Food
Growing up my mom only bought sugar cereal when we went on vacation or to our cabin. It was as exciting as Christmas morning to go to the store and pick out my very own box of cereal. I have continued the no-sugar-cereal-rule with my own kids-------but we find more excuses to buy it. I will buy them each a box for Valentines Day, when stores have Count Chocula and Boo Berry around Halloween I make sure to buy a few boxes, if I am going to be out of town I get sugar cereal for my kids to eat while I'm away, and of course, we buy it when we are on vacation. Lindsey Larsen
Many of my family traditions are based around food--certain ones define each holiday for me now. Part of the significance was helping my Mom prepare many of these foods, and thinking about her now as I do them on my own.
*Thanksgiving is Holiday Punch in the morning while we wait for the food to be ready (very similar to the punch we had at the Photography meeting, but warmed up), and chocolate-striped shortbread cookie gumdrop turkeys for favors.
*Christmas Eve is homemade Plum Pudding and homemade Eggnog.
*Christmas morning is grape juice and mini-cereal boxes. We always have Santa Snacks and Date Cookies and Angel Thumbprints and Green Meringue Cookies and homemade Caramels on the table to snack on throughout Christmas Day.
*New Year's Eve was my mom's Banana Slush and "Junk Food Night" (chips, dip, pizza, etc).
*On Valentine's Day we would have all red and pink foods for dinner, and green foods on St. Patrick's Day.
Janelle Holt
Record Keeping
A tradition my daughter has started instead of trying to keep up with individual scrapbook is to compile all of the kids pictures through the year of their birthdays and other special days, their school pictures, all of the holidays, and any events that they were involved in and she makes them into a bound book that she gives to them as a Christmas present. By doing things on the computer, you can add graphics and special effects even if you're not a big scrapbook pro. Debbie Rollins
Vacations
If we are out in Utah, we tube the Portneuf River at Lava Hot Springs Idaho, eat the most amazing pizza on the corner, then hit the hot springs state pools at night. So much fun. Sherlyn Jenkins
Gardening
I add new perennial plants to my yard every spring and summer. I love to watch all the different varieties bloom all summer. Sherlyn Jenkins
I plant bulbs EVERY Fall for more color explosion each Spring. Sherlyn Jenkins
We try, when we can, to buy plants for our garden with a family connection for example: Wedding- "Bridal Shower" rose bush; August Birthday-"August Moon" hosta; Lambs Ear (or band aid plant) - for the ouch's in life; Rosemary- "remembering, loving and caring ", yellow rose-"where there is great love there are great miracles". Gail Murphy
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