Pass it On...Family Traditions

What can I give my children to pass on to their future family?  Family heirlooms are a definite possibility.  Yet, I think there is something even more valuable than tangible gifts.  Family traditions.  We adopted quite a few traditions that we absolutely love!  I’d like to share some with you...

For Valentine’s Day, Dave and I usually plan something special for the girls.  When they were growing up, we took them to lunch or a movie, gave them “love baskets” filled with goodies, etc.  We still celebrate by giving them cards and tokens of our love, never wanting to miss an opportunity to say, “I love you!” 

Every summer, we go on a family vacation.  As we raised our girls, we would typically go to our timeshare in Lake Tahoe.  We have precious and innumerable memories of our family, cousins, grandparents and friends having the time of our lives...swimming, sea-doing, parasailing, hiking, bicycling, pedaling a surrey, campfires, great bbq’s and tons of pictures.

To initiate the fall season, we take our annual trip to the Los Angeles County Fair, enjoying the various displays, artwork, gardens, shows, and of course, our favorites—the food and the Pig Races! 

October brings the opportunity to visit Oak Glen and pick apples, make fresh apple cider, take a pumpkin home, and go to the local fair, with homemade crafts, food and their famously huge apple pie.

And of course, at Thanksgiving we gather together to share a meal, and at Christmas we give meaningful gifts to one another. 

Throughout the year, everyone’s birthday is celebrated with a special “family dinner”.  The birthday person gets to choose their menu, and we celebrate with lots of laughter, and a raucous rendition of “Happy Birthday”! 

Traditions create memories never to be forgotten.  They give value and identity to your family, times of bonding, and experiences to pass on to the next generation.  They are an excuse to celebrate one another...and have FUN!  (By the way, feel free to invite others to join you in your celebrations!  They will feel a part of your family.)

Ps 100:5  “For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.”