Times To Remember: Creating Holiday Memories For The Entire Family

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

There’s an unmistakable crispness in the air and the changing leaves leave no doubt that the holiday season is upon us, or at least quickly approaching. While many of us can still recall our own excitement as this miraculous and “enchanted” time of year gave us something to eagerly look forward to. From family meals to how we wrapped gifts and when exchanged and opened them or things we got involved in to help bring joy to others, much of it was part of a family tradition that made this very special time, extra special and memorable.

Celebrate the season by creating you own family traditions that you, your family, and friends can fondly share, look forward to, and remember throughout the years.

· Light Up Their Lives: Regardless which holiday you celebrate, create a “generic” candle light ceremony, not only commemorating the season, but also as a symbol for peace in the world.

· Spread The Joy: Teach children (and adults alike) about the spirit of giving by purchasing some extra gifts for a family who really needs it and donating it to a local charity, church, temple, or place of worship. If you can’t afford additional purchases, look for items you’ve never used (and a concerned about re-gifting) or for some extra winter clothes, coats, even some non-perishable items to wrap and use as a holiday offering. Don’t forget to set aside some time to pay a visit to friends and relatives who are unable to visit you, those in nursing homes, etc., and to volunteer your time to help celebrate the holidays with those who are in a shelter or have no one to celebrate with.

· Create A Journal Of Love: Place a blank book in a central location offering friends and family members to jot down their experiences, thoughts, etc., from time to time. Incorporate newspaper articles that may have a personal or special impact, as well as special emails, cards, notes, etc. At the end of the year, look back or pass the book around at your next holiday party and see how much you’ve achieved and how things have changed.

· Go Out On A Limb: Consider planting a tree or special shrub commemorating the holiday season, or the upcoming year as a sign of hope and peace.

· Support Our Troops By Adding A Bit OF Red, White, and Blue to Your Holiday Décor: Remember the young men and women who may not have the luxury of spending the holidays with their families. Pay a special tribute to them by displaying patriotic items among the “traditional” holiday décor. Or, better yet, how about sending them some holiday “spirit” vial letters, gifts, or non-perishables.

· Bridge The Generation Gap: Many families treat the New Year as a time to break away from family and break loose. Consider instead making it a family-friendly event for all. Host a family affair, perhaps even a neighborhood party where everyone brings a dish, or each home featured a different dish or course based on ethnicity or favorite foods from each generation. And remember, the more, the merrier.