Holiday Traditions Go Beyond Bringing Families Together

Perhaps more than any other time of the year, the winter holidays are an opportunity for many of us to reminisce about happy times from the past. Our memories often center on a cherished holiday tradition from childhood, such as decorating the house or sharing a festive feast with family and friends.

Memories of these cheerful occasions may be so vivid you can almost smell the aromas wafting from the kitchen or picture your granddad sitting in his chair, chuckling at something funny, even if many years have gone by.

So, what is it about holidays and traditions that can transport us across the decades? It’s likely a combination of several factors.

What Is a Holiday Tradition?

Families have their own unique ways of celebrating holidays all throughout the year. Note that families may not be defined in the traditional sense — some people choose to create their own families consisting of friends and loved ones they feel especially close to. And in some cases, people have holiday traditions they practice on their own.

Traditions are more than routine activities we engage in on a specific day or time of year. They are rituals that carry symbolic meaning. They can be ways to:

• Honor our cultural identity
• Connect with our spirituality
• Hearken back to our roots
• Reinforce (or establish) bonds with the people we value most
• Celebrate our beliefs
• Enhance a sense of continuity in our lives
• Pass along a legacy of joy to younger generations
• Feel like we belong, like we’re part of something bigger

It’s the Experience That Counts

Traditions don’t need to be elaborate or expensive. They don’t have to involve extensive planning or take up much time.

The best holiday traditions focus on sharing positive experiences that build emotional connections. Something as simple as watching a much-loved movie together, setting aside a specific time to tell family stories or playing a favorite game after the holiday meal can become a special tradition the whole family looks forward to year after year.

Traditions aren’t always created intentionally. A spur-of-the-moment activity may be so enjoyable the family chooses to do it again at the next holiday celebration. Gradually, it becomes part of the family’s ongoing history.

Traditions Can Be Adapted — or Replaced

Time brings changes to all families, and there may be reasons some family members no longer enjoy (or can participate in) certain holiday traditions. Rather than leaving them out of the fun, there may be a way of altering the activity so they can be included — like finding a more accessible location.

If distance, travel or other commitments become obstacles, perhaps some family members can use technology to join the activity remotely.

If there isn’t a relatively easy solution, or if maintaining a tradition begins to strain relationships, it might be time to consider replacing it or adding a new one. For instance, family members of nearly all ages can take part in a variety of volunteer efforts to help brighten the holidays for people in the community who are less fortunate.

Open communication among family members can help the family as a whole make the best decision for all.

Be Sure To Include the Senior-Most Members of the Family

Longstanding family traditions during the holidays may hold the greatest significance for grandparents and great-grandparents. While they have the largest cache of memories to share with their younger relatives, they’re also creating new memories at each occasion, which they themselves can cherish.

Taking part in holiday traditions benefits older adults in the same ways as younger family members, plus it can prevent them from feeling isolated or lonely. If it’s not possible for the whole family to be together, reaching out to grandparents with a video call can lift their spirits and give everyone a chance to share a few smiles.

Those Without Families Can Form Their Own Community

Some people don’t have a family or they don’t have family members close enough to be with during the holidays. Either way, they can still create holiday traditions with a group of people whose company they enjoy. They can also take part in traditions within their local community.

Senior centers are often a good resource for older adults who are looking for others to connect with during the holidays. Another option is to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, food pantry or food bank. Feeding America offers tips to help you find a nearby organization that could use your help. Being surrounded by others who share your altruistic nature could be a great holiday tradition to establish!

Our Community’s Tradition of Connecting Older Adults

As the area’s only locally owned and operated not-for-profit Life Plan Community, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo offers a warm, comfortable living environment where it feels natural to connect with others, during the holidays and all year long.

Residents in our senior living community have a knack for getting together and creating new traditions based on their wide-ranging interests and life experiences. Along with all the activities there are to enjoy right here at home, we’re just 1 ½ miles from the thriving cultural scene in downtown Kalamazoo, a city that’s steeped in tradition.

Want to keep up with how we celebrate our holiday traditions? Follow us on Facebook.

We invite you to connect with us and set up a visit. You can also reach us at (269) 364-6560.