Family Traditions

Boo! Gobble! Ho! That's about as fast as it goes.

It seems that the 'regular' days fly by, but the holidays just seem to accelerate those daily 24 hours.

Think back to some of your fondest memories... maybe they involved the warm summer sun, Old Glory flying, and sitting in your fold out lawn chair while relaxing to the sounds of the local marching band at the 4th of July parade as the kids run around high on sugar. The pop, POP, pop of bright sparkling fireworks filling the late night air.

Maybe your memories include the sweet smell of pumpkin pie, laughter from the kids as they wrestle their child-like uncle, and the outbursts of cheers and groans that accompany the annual Thanksgiving Day football games.

So many of our best memories involves these 3 components:

*Family

*Holidays

*Traditions: taking the time and making the opportunity

How are you rating in these areas?

Family: For most of us, family and holidays/memories go hand-in-hand. For others, included in these memorable moments are close friends or other people that are important to them. The point is, someone(s) else is included. Sure we can have fun on our own, but the connection we have, and need, from others not only adds to our mental wellness, but also our emotional and physical wellness, too. Take the time to invite those most special to you to be a part of the moments in your life.

Holidays: Whatever holiday(s) floats your boat, use it as a "good excuse" to congregate. Bring the food (umm, yes PLEASE), play some music, and consciously be social, it's easy to get busy slicing cured meats for that fancy charcuterie board, but slow down and enjoy the experience you are creating for everyone else.

Traditions: Family + Holidays = Traditions. Decorate Easter eggs with your kids every single year... Create a leprechaun trap and make sure that sneaky leprechaun comes to visit every St. Patrick's day and infuses the kids' milk and eggs with green coloring - the tricks get trickier as the kids get older ;) ... Don't overlook the annual stop at the cemetery for the Memorial Day services to honor those who have passed.

It provides history and establishes the tradition of giving honor... And of course, lest we forget, the jolliest of elves, Santa Clause and the kids waking early to race to the Christmas tree and see what was left for them (and silently praying they weren't too bad that past year).

THESE are all moments that once they are lived, are gone. But that doesn't mean the memories are gone. By taking the time and making the opportunity available these can live on forever!

These are the things we want our kids and family to remember - the traditions, the emotions, the laughter, the aromas, how they felt and how they were loved.

It is up to you to make that happen - what a fun opportunity!

What are some of YOUR traditions or ways of creating memories?

Happiest of Holidays and Happy Memory Making!

Best,

-Brianne <3