Ugly sweaters, meme-worthy ornaments, paper party hats in family photos… sometimes we lean into the ridiculous just to bring a little levity into our homes. Whether they’re lighthearted or sentimental, family traditions help define who we are, what we value, and how we stay connected. Studies suggest that enacting a family ritual is more important than the specific form that the ritual takes. In other words, it’s not what you do – it’s that you do it together.1
According to three studies published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, traditions improve holiday enjoyment because they amplify family closeness and involvement. It’s hard to predict which moments will become lasting memories, but research indicates that our most treasured memories are likely experiences we shared with other people. The more rituals you create, the greater the chances that some will become magical and remembered in a child’s mind.2
Some traditions may disappear for a while, only to resurface later. Some parents choose to continue traditions with their children they may no longer do with their parents. Here are some simple ideas to spark new family traditions:1
- Host a pie bake-off or dessert exchange with older kids and adults
- Play touch football, tag, or another active game between the main meal and dessert
- Leave out a holiday puzzle or board game to return to throughout the day
- Repeat a simple holiday jingle or song your child learned or invented years ago
Family rituals do more than create warm memories; they quietly communicate values. Passing down a family recipe, for example, can honor grandparents, ancestors, or cultural roots. Donating unused toys or clothing together once or twice a year sends a message of generosity and service that children remember long after the items are gone. A review of 32 studies published since 1950 examined whether family routines and rituals play a meaningful role in modern family life. The researchers concluded that rituals are linked to:1
- Stronger parenting competence and higher martial satisfaction
- Better child adjustment
- Families who intentionally engage in rituals also report greater happiness
This year, choose one tradition to start, revive or reimagine. Years from now, it won’t be the decorations or the food that matter most. It will be the moments you shared and the traditions that made your family feel like home. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate for the Innocent member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/.
1 – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/singletons/202411/the-power-of-family-traditions-count-the-ways
2 – https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/sezer%20norton%20gino%20vohs%20family%20rituals_f36810fb-30f0-4910-9061-8aa70036ff24.pdf
3 – Image by Freepik