When you think back to your own childhood, what are the holiday family traditions that stand out most? Were the activities you remember now the ones you were most determined to preserve and share with your own kids?

Rituals and traditions matter all year, not just around the holidays. Still, the holidays often make us think about them more, and with Christmas coming up, now’s a good time to reflect.

Holiday traditions are fun. Well, ok, maybe not always for Mom, who usually takes charge of making the magic happen. But once you set aside the preparation and planning, joining in on those traditions feels enjoyable. That alone is a great reason to create meaningful traditions for your own family.

Beyond the fun, kids gain all kinds of intangible benefits from having traditions they can count on. Traditions give children a sense of identity and belonging. They help kids see themselves as part of something larger than just themselves. When Grandma asks them to help bake her famous shortbread cookies or latkes, they realize they’re the ones who will carry forward an important family custom. Kids develop pride, cooperation, and a sense of importance when they share in traditions like these.

Traditions also create predictability. Kids find comfort in knowing when and how certain events will unfold, and they enjoy the reliability of it. Think about your own family’s holiday rituals—can you remember looking forward to one special part each year? Most of us can, because that feeling of anticipation and joy runs deep.

Most importantly, traditions strengthen our connection with family members. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to connect with people across the glove, and at the same time, lose out on the connection with those in our own homes.  Traditions bond families together.  

Of course, over the course of your children’s lives, traditions will change. People come and go, families move, and circumstances shift. That change doesn’t have to feel negative. Holding on to certain traditions gives your kids comfort and security, helping them stay resilient through transitions. And when you intentionally create new traditions, you help buffer any disappointment your kids might feel about losing old ones.

 From a practical point of view, traditions can also help Mom stay sane during the holidays. When you already know how you’ll do things, planning becomes easier. Then again, it is possible to be a slave to the traditions. Remember that these rituals are there to add to your holiday enjoyment – not your stress level. If a tradition brings more frustration than happiness, feel free to change or drop it. What matters most to kids is spending time together and having fun; slaving away on minor details isn’t worth it. 

Traditions and rituals matter to all of us, and the ones we turn to at holidays are often the most joyful and eagerly awaited. Take time to sit down with your family (or your partner, if your kids are very young) and decide which traditions to keep, which to let go of, and how to enjoy them fully this holiday season.

Our favourite holiday traditions

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