By: Cheryl Mecham
Out with the old and in with the new –
so easy to say but so hard to do.
Sometimes old, familiar holiday traditions don't fit into today's lifestyle. Don't be afraid to make adjustments. Neither my husband's family nor mine had particular traditions other than a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day, putting up a Christmas tree and giving everyone you loved at least one gift
A few years ago our sons decided they'd bring their shot guns and clays to the house and shoot before we sat down for Thanksgiving dinner. About the same time our daughter's determined that they wanted to do a craft after dinner was cleaned up and the men had retired to watch football. We've made bracelets, decorated clay pots to look like Santas and crafted Christmas ornaments.
That's how a few of our family traditions have evolved. If we embark on an activity and it went pretty well – we'll probably do it again, but nothing is ever carved in stone at the Mecham House. We do what we can when we can. Just getting together somewhere at the same time can present difficulty, so we don't knock ourselves out with extra fluff.
With holiday traditions it's important to decide which activities or events are most valuable and set out to enjoy them. Often we can still find the comfort and value in a tradition even though we scale it back to suit current circumstances.
Experts in human psychology recommend that individuals don't give up traditions, but modify them to work in their particular situation, for instance, if circumstances prevent family getting together, have a couple of close friends over to share a festive meal. And if you're alone for the holidays, don't turn down invitations – accept them. Being around others, even though they're not family is beneficial.
New traditions can be adopted as well. I've heard of a couple of activities I'd like to try. I love the idea of giving away frozen-prepared casseroles to families in December rather than a plate of cookies or candy. With the busy schedules of today's families a home-cooked meal that can be heated in the microwave or oven during the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy.
The second idea resolves the influx of Christmas cards, letters and photos. One family has a large bright green binder holding page protectors. As the cards come in they are opened, enjoyed, then slipped into a page protector for safe keeping. The book is always on display and when it fills up the family gets another Christmas Card Book and begins again. Can you say simple? And it's a wonderful way to hold memories.
The third and final tradition is something that people have done for centuries on Christmas Eve, but I'm just thinking of doing – which is to decorate a tree out of doors for the birds and wildlife.
Ornaments can be simple; apple and orange slices suspended from pipe cleaners, and pine cones made sticky with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed as ornaments complimented with popcorn or cranberry garlands. After the family makes the simple food-decorations they go out and decorate a tree. Some families follow up with a holiday dinner or if it's early in the day a hot beverage and snack.
As it is in most cases – we can't always get what we want. I have begged for a dozen years or more to have outdoor Christmas lights trimming the roof lines, windows and doors. My husband flat out refuses. And that's ok, because the work and expense would be his, however, I can have something else – equally as wonderful – our yearly December date where we go out for a nice meal and drive around to look at the Christmas lights.
I look forward to this event every single year. It's a must-do tradition, one high on my priority list that we never fail to do. It seems the simplest traditions are always the ones we keep, the more extravagant fall by the wayside over time.
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