Little traditions in your family?

Question

Do you have any traditions in your family (other than major holidays)?

I have a few with my kids... like on their birthdays I make them sit down with me and watch the video we took on the day they were born. Right now my oldest is only 6 so they still do it willingly... I'm not so sure that'll be an easily continued tradition as they get older ;)

The other tradition-like thing we do, is we have a "Basement Fairy", and what will happen is if one of my children does something really nice (like when my son learned how to share his toys for the first time, or on my daughter's first day of kindergarten, or one time I overheard my daughter standing up for a child being bullied, etc), the "Basement Fairy" will leave a card with the child's name on it and a little well desired present along with a note, signed by the Fairy. In the note, the Fairy just compliments them on what a wonderful little person they're growing up to be, and how proud she is of them. My kids LOVE the basement fairy... I think they just enjoy getting a little bit of recognition from someone other than mom and dad every once in awhile, and I've found it's a very helpful tool in teaching them about character, etc. The Fairy doesn't leave gifts often; maybe once a year per child, but it's a tradition that my family loves.

What're yours? I'm just curious, and looking for some new ideas. ;)

Answer 1

The night before school starts (tonight!) I make a special treat .. one I don't make often.. to send to school as a *surprise* snack.

First day of a season (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer) no matter the weather we go for a neighborhood walk, then make a dinner that makes us think of the season.

Answer 2

when i was little my mom would spend the several hours before i went to bed reading to me and my siblings, and singing, and playing, i know it really just sounds like good parenting, but at the time it was the most wonderful thing in the world, she continued it in some form or another till i was about ten then it changed to reading together from old reading text books, we'd each go through a book pick something we wanted to read then have to read it out loud. it was really fun at the time, it stopped because well there becomes a point when those things sorta fade into the background and become the memories of childhood some will be remembered fondly and some will be repeated with the next generation of kids.  

Answer 3

One of my traditions is once a year (around Feb-March) we have "special days". Mom/dad/both goes out with each child 1-on-one. They do something they want to do. Get their ears pierced, ice skate,  mini golf, bowling, museum, jumpy house, WHATEVER! It is a great thing that they enjoy.

Another is that each year, on Christmas Eve they get a new pair of PJ's to wear. Not sure why, it just happens that way. Another Christmas one is each year in their stocking they get an ordament that represents them. For example the year my daugher started modeling, she got a model ordament. Last year (and this year too) my 13 year old daughter HAS to make sure her hair is PERFECT!  We got her a hairdryer ordament.  

Answer 4

WE have 4 kids, around their birthday's we take the birthday child out by him/herself and have a day out. Going out to eat, to a movie, mini golf, or whatever the CHILD wants to do. Then we take them to pick out a few presents they want.

We also like to try to take the kids to the park, a picnic at the river, and to get some ice cream about once a month as a fun nice day out.

Answer 5

That basement fairy is sooo cute!! I bet your kids aren't scared of the basement!!  

Answer 6

We all get together and start a normal conversation. Then someone makes a comment that they shouldn't and eventually the screaming starts. At the end, someone leaves the room crying.....

Will you adopt me??

Answer 7

That's so cute. I would do the basement fairy with my kids when I have them.

One of the traditions is to have was a birthday tree. Just like on Christmas you put presents under the tree, you just do it on the birthday instead.