If this is your first holiday in your home, it is a perfect time to start some new traditions! When you move, you don’t leave everything behind. You bring your belongings and your memories and yes, your traditions. But a fresh start in an unfamiliar house is just the inspiration you need to begin unique traditions that will make that house feel like your home.
Check out these fun ideas for creating new traditions:
TAKE AN ANNUAL FAMILY PHOTO
Choose a theme or a pose that you can recreate every year. Label the photos with the date and create a photo book or framed collage with them. It will be so much fun for your family to see how everyone changes through the years. 50 Festive Holiday Family Photo Ideas
INCORPORATE A CULTURAL TRADITION
No matter what holiday you celebrate, you will find a cultural tradition to go with it. Make it a family activity to research your heritage and make new discoveries about how your ancestors celebrated. Multi-Cultural Holiday Traditions
FOCUS ON GRATITUDE
Sometimes we take all that we have for granted. A wonderful way to experience the holiday spirit is to express gratitude. Make it a fun and meaningful activity for the whole family. For example, you all can create a “Gratitude Tree”. Go outdoors and find a branch to use to hold your “leaves of gratitude”. Cut leaves out of colorful paper and each day have family members write something they are grateful for on a leaf. Then hang the leaves on the “tree” to create a beautiful reminder of all that is right with your world! Gifts, Games and DIY Projects to Share Gratitude This Holiday Season
GIVE THE GIFT OF READING
Even if you’re not of Icelandic descent, you can still take part in a beautiful Icelandic Christmas tradition. In Iceland families gift each other books on Christmas Eve and spend a quiet, peaceful night reading. Have each member of your family draw a name and that is who they choose a book for. If you’re worried about which books will be chosen, also have each family member make a list of three to five books they would like. That way everyone is sure to get a book they will enjoy!
PLAY “I SPY” WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS
Whether young or old, chances are most family members don’t pay too much attention to the ornaments on the tree once it is decorated. What a shame! Take some time to play a fun game of “I Spy” and you will enjoy discovering all the special memories that your ornaments represent.
HAVE A FAMILY PAJAMA PARTY MOVIE NIGHT
Spending time together as a family is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Choose a night when everyone will be home, have everyone put on their favorite pjs and pick one or two holiday movies to watch. Make it even more special with popcorn, hot cocoa and other treats. Clear a space on the floor in front of the tv and have lots of pillows and blankets available to snuggle up with. Turn off all but the festive tree lights and enjoy a family pajama party movie night!
If you’re thinking about selling or buying a home in the New River Valley area, contact professional, experienced Realtor Desi Sowers and let her assist you with all your real estate needs. Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!
Photo credits: cheryls.com, primarybeginnings.com, jeweledinteriors.com, sbs.com.au, parents.com, istockphoto.com