Christmas Traditions Old and New

Warming the hearts of families in Christmas' past and Christmas' yet to come, traditions are the basic foundation of the Christmas Spirit. Christmas traditions can be found everywhere during the holidays, and not just within homes and families. Children lining up to see Santa is a tradition, as well as the malls full of hurried and stressed shoppers. The expectations of seeing these familiar sights each Christmas season, is in itself, a tradition that many of us share.

Families share traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. And as families grow and change, as new hearts are brought into families, so are new traditions. Christmas is a time where old and new traditions flourish together, and each tradition brings it's own unique memories to the Christmas Holidays.

Traditions can come in many ways and forms to families. Simply eating Christmas dinner together every year can be a family tradition. In some families a tradition might be preparing Christmas dinner the exact same way as Grandma did years previous, using the same Christmas dinner plates as Great-Grandma did even years before. It is always fun and heartwarming to share Christmas traditions, and who knows, your family may embrace a new tradition.

Helping others less fortunate is a common tradition among families at Christmas Time. But it could be even more special to children in the family if they are presented with $20 or whatever amount a parent decides, and they decide which charity to give to.

Another tradition many families participate in is in giving a new toy to another child through special programs, such as Toys For Tots, and many others readily found during the holidays.

Families often make it a tradition to get their Christmas tree together, and decorate it together as well.

In my family, it was always a tradition to open one present on Christmas Eve, which was a present from our parents. That is passed on in my own family with my own children today.

New pajamas on Christmas Eve are a tradition among a lot of families that I know. Those new p.j.'s are anticipated every year with giggles and smiles.