The day after Thanksgiving, I put on my reindeer sox, dust off my holiday song playlist, and open our storage bin of decorations. We laugh, remembering stories related to special ornaments as we carefully place them on the tree. My heart aches while setting out my late mother’s favorite Santa cookie jar. The holidays aren’t the same without these traditions.
What is a tradition, and why is it so important? An article in The Daily News lists Saul Levine, M.D.’s, a professor emeritus in psychiatry at the University of California, four B’s theory on the profound role of tradition in our lives.
- Being: We receive a sense of inner peace, a self-acceptance of our strengths and weaknesses, and a feeling of being grounded in our core identity.
- Belonging: We gain a sense of comfort from being part of a group of people, such as a family or team, that share mutual values and provide support, respect, and friendship.
- Believing: We fulfill our need to believe in a system of moral principles and ethical behavior, whether religious or secular.
- Benevolence: We develop a predisposition to be helpful to others in need and to enhance the lives of others in our group of people, which often extends to strangers as well.
Another holiday favorite of mine is baking gingerbread houses and spending an afternoon with my daughter and her friend decorating them. Since the royal icing needs a couple of hours to harden after setting up the structure, we have plenty of time to pull out a board game before finishing the decorations. Take a look at our latest creations!
My husband and I have a tradition of watching Die Hard. (Yes, it’s a Christmas movie.) We also enjoy driving around the neighborhood at night to enjoy the beautiful outdoor decorations.
Not all traditions are centered on the holidays. When my children were young, I read a book to them before bed. As children, my sister and I watched Saturday morning cartoons together. High schools have Homecoming where they welcome back alumni. It’s built around a central event, like a banquet or a dance.
Some traditions are individual. For instance, I read every day and spend time at the beginning of each day planning how to make that day the very best it can be.
According to an article in Brunswick Crossing traditions play an important role in our lives.
- It gives children a sense of identity. In 2013, psychologist Sara Duke said, “The [children] who know a lot about their families tend to do better when they face challenges.”
- Traditions help strengthen family bonds. Spending time together as a family helps family members to trust one another.
- It helps build character. Having consistency in this fast-paced and ever-changing world provides some consistency and comfort.
Traditions exist in every culture. These rituals, stories, beliefs, customs, and routines create magic and meaning in our everyday life. They create lasting memories we can pass down to future generations.
https://www.brunswickcrossing.com/blog/3-powerful-reasons-why-family-traditions-matter
