FUTURE TRADITIONS

While my future family is still a ways away in the future, I have decided to brainstorm now for what types of traditions I want to have in my home. Here are a few of the ideas that I have gathered over the years:

Easter

- On the Saturday evening before Easter, hold a candlelight dinner and read the Book of Mormon account of the three days of darkness before Christ’s visit to the Americas.
Then use the time to discuss the blessings of having a Savior of the world.
- Each day on Holy Week share with children what happened to Christ on that day 2,000 years ago.

Summer Solstice

- Have an "Ultimate-Summer" day, where you do all of the summer activities at once. Swimming, picnics, baking, playing tag, turning on the sprinklers, going star gazing, etc.

Halloween

- Watch one Harry Potter movie a night in the week leading to Halloween.
- Pumpkin carving or painting, of course!

Christmas

- On Christmas Eve have a candlelight dinner, and prior to eating pop Christmas Crackers (everyone is REQUIRED to wear the hat - no exceptions!)
- Serve meat, cheese, pita bread, and fruit for Christmas Eve dinner to symbolize a meal in Jerusalem.
- Open PJ's on Christmas Eve after reading the Nativity story in Luke.
- Growing up away from extended family meant that our Christmastime traditions centered around our own little family, and I want to keep true to that even if in the future I live close to my parents and in-laws. That means that we will keep from visiting people from 5 pm Christmas Eve until the 26th,
so that we can have Christmas to ourselves.
- When I was little I saw a commercial where a child gives Santa a slice of cheese in addition to the cookies, and the next morning the living room is overflowing with presents. Ever since then I have included a piece of cheese on Santa's plate, and I think it would be fun to continue to do so.

I plan on expanding this list, but these are some of the must-haves. If anyone has other suggestions for fun family traditions, I would love to hear!
9.18.16