Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…
This might be a core childhood memory for most people on Christmas Eve. In fact, Jingle Bells is a carol that has transcended borders, religion and age on its way to fame. In a way, singing various Christmas carols has been an important holiday tradition for many.
Holiday traditions are a set of ritual-based behaviours specific to a culture and celebrated during a particular period. Common examples are singing carols during Christmas and playing with colours during Holi. Some benefits of these traditions are that they help bring the whole family together, thereby strengthening the bond and engaging with history. Let us examine them more closely and their associated aspects.
Why are holiday traditions important?
Traditions bring about a sense of structure and predictability in an otherwise chaotic life. We feel more comfortable because we know how to prepare for the festival and celebrate it. Consequently, we will have less expenditure of mental energy because we do not have to actively plan anything as rules are already in place. This will let us enjoy each moment and create wonderful memories.
Additionally, holidays provide an opportunity to be generous by donating money, clothes or other items to the underprivileged, express gratitude for what we possess and stay positive. They remind us of two things - the values that we need to uphold and how family, history and faith are crucial anchors in our lives.
What are the merits of following holiday traditions?
There are a few merits in adhering to these traditions, such as:
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Fostering togetherness: This season lets busy family members come together under one roof and celebrate festivals with love and joy. When children also participate in the customs, they will learn the importance of collaboration with others in a group to complete tasks and cherish the feeling of togetherness it brings.
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Strengthening family bonds: The best part about holiday traditions is that you get extra time to spend with family, thereby strengthening the bond with each other. For instance, some Christmas traditions could include cleaning and decorating the house a few days before the festival, buying and wrapping gifts in advance, singing carols on the previous evening and cooking dishes on the actual day. Since these activities are better done as a group, cousins can sit together and work on some of the tasks, while the elders can take care of cooking. You can include a game night, which will allow grandparents to spend more time with the remaining members of the family.
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Embracing the joy of sharing: Festivals are not only about fun but also about the joy of sharing. Use this time of the year to give gifts to your entire family, which will allow you to share your happiness and love with the rest of the family. In terms of money, donating to the underprivileged is a good way to share joy and make their lives brighter.
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Celebrating cultural roots: A recent survey suggests that 95% of parents state that their children have learnt more about cultures and traditions through festivals. Holidays allow for a peek into the past through the celebratory customs. Grandparents can also discuss the nuances of these customs, as this knowledge would be valuable to future generations.
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Encouraging reflection and spiritual growth: The holiday season provides ample time for reflection and self-growth and some traditions let us introspect and show gratitude, as well. Concentrate on grasping the significance of your life and those around you. Figure out what if anything needs change. Also, contemplate the divine and your purpose in life. This will help you to progress spiritually.
What if you do not have existing traditions?
While it is rare to not have family traditions, there may be a few exceptions. Else, there may be people wanting to build on existing traditions. The solution to both cases is the same - adding new traditions. There is no hard and fast rule about what can become a tradition, however, try to choose an activity that will involve family, lets us learn more about your family and history and makes you happy. You can choose to incorporate at least one of the aforementioned conditions while creating a tradition. For instance, you can choose to have a reading session of A Christmas Carol on the night before Christmas with the entire family or make pizzas for dinner on the day of the festival. Some more options are preparing Christmas cards, decorating the tree, baking cookies and hot chocolate and getting gifts.
The biggest takeaway from holiday traditions is to foster the festive spirit and family bonding. Do not aspire for perfection, rather focus on enjoying the process and celebration. Parents must ensure that their children feel included and not overwhelmed while following the customs. There are a few ways by which you can make them feel more at ease - one way is to make them feel safe and loved as this will help them open up and mingle faster, another way is to slowly introduce them to the customs, as suddenness may take them by shock. Attempt to incorporate your child’s presence by creating a special tradition for them as this will encourage them to interact more and enjoy the task at hand.
To sum it up, holiday traditions are crucial in maintaining strong ties with family, they let us have fun with family, create precious memories and aid us in understanding the past better. Do not have a myopic view on what could be classified as a holiday tradition, instead focus on uniting the family through the same. After all, don’t they exist to bring forth more love and happiness?
