Your Own Family Tradition?

The wise saying "the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second best time is now" can be applied to family traditions too.  Some traditions are generations old, but all traditions have to begin somewhere and your wonderful new idea might be the start of a tradition that will last for generations to come!

Traditions help tell our stories. They link family, friends and communities together and are reminders of people, places and times. We value traditions because they are also a link between the past, present and future.

Traditions can be continued through special occasions, stories, songs, food, art or keepsakes. Some traditions are cultural, some are personal, some are deeply significant and some are just good fun.  

Christmas is full of traditions of all shapes and sizes and the ornaments displayed year after year are a great example. It may be the kindy-made paper angel, with the yellowing sticky tape still proudly displayed even though the maker's school days are long gone.  Precious ornaments passed down, personalised keepsakes or memorable decorations collected on journeys are reminders of people and places each time they appear.  

If ceremony is society's cement, perhaps our little family traditions are the glue that keeps loved ones together too?