Family Traditions: Holiday Traditions, Importance, And Respect

Family traditions can be thought of as activities in which families and loved ones engage together throughout their lives and pass down from generation to generation. They can involve various events, stories, songs, gifts, or meals; anything that contributes to creating a memorable moment that can remind families of their bond. Some families have traditions rooted in religious or cultural beliefs, while others may be unique to their family unit. Traditions of families can provide ways to bond, increase feelings of belonging, show respect, and build a common and meaningful family identity. However, some family members may choose not to be present and participate in traditions, and there may be other ways to maintain a close relationship with them, including practicing respect, appreciation, and open communication. For help navigating family relationship challenges, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist.

The benefits of family traditions

Research often demonstrates the importance of family and the effects family can have on your well-being, teaching you about love and belonging. It can be important to note that family doesn’t have to refer to blood relatives, and that a chosen family is also valid. Loved ones who are present in your life, even if they are not blood-related, can remind you that you have a community and benefit your overall well-being.

Family traditions can create special connections with members of your family. These family traditions may keep you linked to one another and often come with a sense of familiarity, love, and support. Here are some specific benefits of how sharing family traditions supports families as they build meaningful bonds.

Maintaining your family bond through family traditions

How traditions evolve over time

People’s lives can change dramatically, and family traditions evolve over time. The lives of your friends and loved ones can change in ways that can impact your traditions. For example, if someone in your family gets married, their husband or wife may be invited to participate in your family’s meaningful traditions to foster a sense of belonging. Or, if your mom typically hosts a big holiday meal, one day, as she gets older, she may decide that she no longer wants to have the gathering at her house, so you may have to start hosting the meal instead.

Building a connection to your cultural heritage

Some traditions may revolve around a family’s culture. Whether you were born in the country or are a second- or third-generation immigrant, your family likely has its own way of integrating traditions from its culture into the traditions of where you live. It can be important to remain connected to your birth culture. Without family traditions, these things may be lost over time, especially if your culture is a minority in your town or city. 

Providing a sense of stability

Traditions can play an important role for our mental health. Research shows that family stability tends to be key to supporting children’s well-being. Family traditions can provide structure and a predictable routine, as well as the knowledge that the family will be doing the same thing year after year. In times of stress, returning to family traditions can bring a sense of peace, a belief that life goes on, and a reminder that they have a family who loves them and will continue to support them. 

Types of family traditions

Family traditions can be big or small. They can be little things you do as a family every day or something you do once a year. Traditions are not necessarily the same as routines. For example, having a cup of coffee with your breakfast, brushing your teeth before bed, or going to the grocery store every Saturday can be considered routines. Traditions of families typically have more meaning. Here are some family tradition ideas that you may consider starting in your family: 

Everyday Family Traditions That Bring Comfort

Family traditions don’t have to be just for special occasions. Small, meaningful actions day-to-day can create a sense of belonging and remind us that we are loved and valued. Here are some examples of family traditions you can start on any day of the week.

Daily traditions

• Spending a few minutes cuddling your kids in bed every morning
• Establishing bedtime routines for your kids with a story, game, or special mom or dad goodnight ritual
• Writing notes to your kids to tuck in their lunchboxes
• Remembering to leave love notes for your partner before heading out of town for a business trip
• Eating dinner as a family
• Saying hello or goodbye using a special handshake 
• Asking your partner about the best part of their day every night before bed

Weekly traditions

• Going out for pizza every Friday night

• Having Meatless Monday dinners

• Watching a football game together every Sunday

• Playing board games on Sunday evenings

• Having a lunch date with your spouse once a week

• Going to church every Sunday

• Going to a grandparent’s house for dinner once a week

Other traditions

• Taking a camping trip the first weekend after school is out

• Celebrating the same holidays at the same family member’s houses every year

• Taking a trip to the beach every July

• Having the same side dishes at Thanksgiving each year

• Baking the same holiday biscuits each year

• Picking Halloween pumpkins at the same farm every year

• Getting a live Christmas tree from the same vendor every year

• Going to a family reunion every spring

• Wearing matching pajamas every Christmas Eve

Holiday Celebrations That Strengthen Family Bonds

Holiday celebrations can be a time for families and friends to build traditions that can strengthen family bonds and create a memorable moment for everyone to remember for years to come. Many families may buy gifts, but there are other traditions you can start, too, like going on car rides to see holiday lights, drinking hot chocolate while watching holiday movies, or hosting a white elephant party.

Birthday and Special Occasion Traditions

Other special occasions can be unique opportunities to create a meaningful, memorable moment. Birthday traditions like cake are pretty common, but you can start special traditions for your friends and loved ones. If you want to do something other than buy gifts for your husband, wife, or best friend, consider cooking them their favorite homemade meal, taking the day off work for a quick road trip, or making them a handmade card.

Celebrating Religious and Cultural Holidays

Religious holiday celebrations or cultural traditions that you celebrate with your loved ones can vary significantly from one family to another. Some meaningful ways to boost feelings of belonging can include heading out in the car to watch Fourth of July fireworks, hiding Easter eggs around the front yard for the kids to find, or having hot chocolate for an end-of-the-night treat after a late Christmas Eve mass.

When someone doesn’t want to participate in family traditions

There may come a time when someone in the family does not want to participate in a family tradition. Not joining family traditions can happen for many reasons, but a common one might be children growing up and deciding that they no longer want to be a part of some things. Children grow and change, and there will likely may come a point when they no longer want to wear matching pajamas, read a bedtime story, or participate in family traditions. Here are some tips for coping with the loss of these traditions.

It’s okay to grieve

It can be sad when children in families mature and decide not to participate in family traditions that may have meant a lot to them when they were young. There is nothing wrong with grieving these changes, but it can be beneficial to make an effort not to place blame on your child. If you need help coping with changes in your family, it can be beneficial to consult a therapist for support.

Don’t take it personally

If your teenage child decides they no longer want to go caroling with the family or are not interested in baking biscuits for the holidays, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t love the family or don’t want to be a part of the family traditions. It can just mean that they are growing up and embracing their individuality.

Find a compromise

Instead of trying to talk them into participating in the family traditions or forcing them to do so, try to come up with a compromise that integrates parts of the old traditions with a new one. For example, if your child doesn’t want to wear matching pajamas anymore, ask them if they would still be willing to watch the traditional Christmas movie. Or, if they don’t want to go to the farm to pick out pumpkins, ask if they would still be willing to help you carve them. By offering a compromise, you may not only be respecting their wishes, but you may also be coming up with your own family traditions that you can return to as you look forward to future generations.

Make new family traditions

If you have family members who no longer want to participate in family traditions, work together to make new traditions to enjoy. Ask them for their input and figure out which new traditions you can start together and pass down to future generations. Also, remember that traditions evolve, so consider changing current traditions to accommodate everyone.

Traditions can support families in creating a true sense of belonging and be a good way of teaching friends and loved ones that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Finding new, meaningful ways of teaching these lessons can remind family members who no longer want to participate that they are still valued.

Other tips for strengthening family bonds 

Celebrating family traditions together can create strong connection between family members. Family traditions matter, but there may be other ways besides family traditions to strengthen family bonds, including the following:

Practice effective communication

Clear communication can help family members deepen their connections and understand each other, as well as set and understand boundaries. To support effective communication, practice active listening and check in with family members regularly. 

Solve problems together

Rather than letting problems drive you apart, work on overcoming them together. Brainstorming solutions together can help everyone be part of the process. Once you devise a solution, determine how to best implement it together, with everyone playing a role.

Show respect and appreciation

Giving compliments, recognizing achievements, and expressing gratitude may maintain and strengthen connections. When someone celebrates other family members, it can cultivate closeness and investment in familial relationships.

Consider making mental health care a family tradition

Family challenges can be difficult to manage on your own, which is why some people may seek out the help of a licensed mental health professional. A therapist can help you improve your communication skills and learn to empathize with your family members, as well as address any mental health concerns that may be contributing to family difficulties.

Let us make mental health care a part of our traditions. If you’re interested in talking to a therapist, consider online mental health treatment. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a mental health professional from the comfort of your home at a time that fits your schedule. 

Typically, the average cost of in-person therapy ranges between $100 to $200 every session. However, you will be able to save if you decide to seek online counseling through BetterHelp since the cost per session can only range between $70 to $100. Every month, the expected charge is only $260 to $400. BetterHelp is more affordable and flexible compared to other online therapy service providers. Moreover, if you plan to schedule more than one live session per week, you will only be asked approximately $20 for an extra charge.

In addition to being flexible and available, research also shows that online treatment can be effective. One review of 14 studies found that online therapy typically led to a 50% improvement in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions, and it significantly decreased the impact of stress.