Making Traditions: 10 Ideas for Your Family

As a first-time mama, it’s so much fun to think about the traditions and memories that you’ll make as your family continues to grow. I truthfully cannot believe that Willow is over a year old already. Blink and you’ll miss it, right? With the holiday season coming, I’ve been thinking of traditions that I want to start with her (and eventually, the next sweetheart that will join us! Not pregnant, just dreaming outloud.)

In an effort to keep track of what I have in store for our family, I wanted to write down 10 traditions that I am going to make a priority. Some of them we have already begun, while others are upcoming. I hope that you take a few ideas away from this for your own family traditions. If you have any of your own, please share in the comments!

#1: Seasonal books. This is probably one of my favorites, so let’s start here. I love reading and I make an effort to read to Willow multiple times a day. She loves it. I’ve been grabbing a book or two to celebrate the changing of the seasons. For example, I recently bought Pumpkin Jack for autumn/Halloween. For winter/Christmas, I grabbed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Whether new or you grab books at a local thrift spot (my favorite way to save money), you’ll soon have a library of fun and seasonally appropriate books to read together as your kid(s) grow up. So much fun and something to look forward to.

#2: Holiday pajama + movie night. I found this idea on Pinterest, so I cannot take credit. But I loved it so much. On Christmas Eve, give your child one gift – a box that has Christmas pajamas for the night, hot cocoa, popcorn, and a holiday movie or book. Sooo cozy and cute. I absolutely cannot wait to start this tradition.

#3: Orange slice garland. I am not that crafty, but I am going to try my best to be better for the sake of Willow. I think an orange slice garland craft for the holiday will be a easy and fun way to decorate.

#4: Pick your own food. Strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, pumpkins… whatever it is, we’re picking it. I actually worked at a pick-your-own booth in high school. That’s how much I enjoy pick-your-own! We’re a family of gatherers.

#5: Summer vacations. We started this family tradition this past summer in Kennebunkport, ME. It doesn’t have to be far from home or an entire week away. Just 2-3 days in a new place to explore new things, restaurants, etc. If we have the means, we are going to stick to this!

#6: Weekend strolls. Joe and I make an effort to get out every weekend and walk. Even if that means a quick walk around town to grab coffee or something. Fresh air always does wonders for the lot of us.

#7: Disney movie + homemade pizza night. Before we had kids, my husband and I would dream of nights that we would make homemade pizza for the kids and watch our favorite Disney movies. We’ve already started this with Willow, to be honest. She doesn’t sit still for the whole movie yet – only for Lion King (she’s obsessed) – but it’s still a good time. She love love loves dancing to the songs.

#8: Christmas cookie day. My siblings and I grew up with a Christmas cookie day tradition and I am 100% continuing with our family. You literally wear your pajamas and just bake tons and tons of cookies all day long. It’s easily one of my favorite days of the year and I have a feeling it only gets better with little helpers.

#9: 25 Days of Christmas specials. My parents used to make sure we all watched every Christmas special that came on during the 25 days of Christmas. It’s something that I even did as an adult (yup)!

#10: Thunderstorm fun. Growing up, we loved a good thunderstorm because our parents made it fun. Flashlights, tents, candles, counting between lightning and thunder… we weren’t scared because we had something to look forward to. I can’t wait to make thunderstorms fun for our family. We haven’t had a good storm in a while, but you bet we’ll be ready for the next one.