Language of Love: Memories and Holiday Traditions

Do you have holiday traditions? My family does and though I knew they were important to my kids I didn't realize just how much. 

On more than one occasion this year, my children have expressed how glad they are for our holiday and family traditions. I think this stems from their teen-aged minds feeling that confliction we all remember feeling: wanting to grow up but secretly feeling sadness that childhood is being left behind. 

Family and holiday traditions, no matter how simple, tell your family story. They are a way to communicate love, connection, stability, history, importance, safety {as my son so eloquently stated}, happiness {from my daughter}  and so much more. 

It's been lovely and deeply satisfying to hear "I'm so thankful for our traditions" or " I love that we do ____________ every year." 

One of our favorite traditions, is a simple one. We pile into our car, tune in to a Christmas music station, sometimes grab some hot chocolate and head to my {and my husband's} home town to see the amazing Christmas light display. Through the years, we have watched them add new things to the display and this has become part of our fun...who can be the first to spy a new addition or something that's missing. We all know the favorites of one another and we recall, from trips past, funny anecdotes which leads to communicating our memories. "Remember that year when ___________?"

Bliss.

Here is one of my favorite light displays. I have always loved this stage coach {sorry about the blur, it moves and we were moving as it wasn't easy to stop for a picture this year}.

How about you? Care to share some of your favorite holiday traditions? What do they communicate to you? To your kids? {don't be afraid to ask them-no matter their age-you might be surprised to learn what they mean to them}


As always, thanks for reading.


Until next time, keep helping your children BLOOM!

Jen