| One of the most important aspects of family life | | | | shows in your area or visit memorials. |
| are establishing regular traditions and celebrating | | | | - Celebrate the beginning of summer in June. |
| holidays. Holidays can often be stressful chaotic | | | | Choose the longest night of the year to have a |
| times within our lives, and the little fun things have | | | | festive cook out, visit a local swimming pool, or |
| a tendency to get lost. Regardless of the holidays | | | | the beach. Begin stargazing in your backyard. You |
| you choose to celebrate or the traditions you | | | | can check out books and discover the |
| decide to have, it is important to have this sense | | | | constellations and learn more about space |
| of regularity and togetherness. This gives the | | | | exploration. |
| family something to look forward to with | | | | - For the Fourth of July go see a community |
| anticipation and creates memories that will last a | | | | fireworks display. |
| lifetime. Here are some of our tips that you may | | | | - Go to your local State or county fair each year. |
| choose to establish in your home. | | | | - Labor Day is set aside each year to honor the |
| - For Valentine's Day, have each family member | | | | American worker. Make this a family day and |
| decorate a valentine sack. Each family member | | | | enjoy togetherness. It also symbolizes the waning |
| can put little gifts inside one another's bag and on | | | | days of summer. Spend it with your family going |
| Valentine's Day you get to open your bag. Have a | | | | to a local swimming pool or lake, go camping, or |
| special family dinner. You and your spouse might | | | | just hang out in your backyard. Making |
| opt for a more romantic night the weekend | | | | homemade ice cream in an old fashioned ice |
| following the holiday--if you are fortunate, get a | | | | cream machine is a fun tradition kids will love. |
| babysitter. | | | | - Plan Halloween costumes weeks in advance. |
| - For President's Day choose a few presidents | | | | Halloween is a fun holiday to decorate your home. |
| and put together a list of fun facts about them. | | | | Have older kids help you set up a haunted |
| Choose new President's each year. Have a | | | | graveyard in your front yard to greet trick or |
| Presidential themed dinner, choosing foods or | | | | treaters. Make candied apples or popcorn balls |
| deserts that were a chosen President's favorite. | | | | together. Visit a pumpkin patch. Go on a hay ride |
| - For St. Patrick's Day put up some fun | | | | at a local farm. |
| decorations and have a green themed meal. | | | | - During Thanksgiving, involve kids. This can be a |
| - For Easter, color and decorate eggs together. | | | | boring holiday for many kids, but it is an often |
| Have a big meal with extended family, and have a | | | | overlooked and under celebrated holiday. Make a |
| huge egg hunt for all the kids. You can put | | | | time within your meal to go around and each say |
| money, candy, or small trinkets in plastic eggs or | | | | a few things that you are thankful for. Let kids |
| use a wax crayon or marker to write on | | | | help prepare the foods. Visit or host family and |
| hardboiled decorated eggs for prizes. You can | | | | friends. Volunteer to help a less fortunate person |
| have a contest for that gets the most eggs, etc. | | | | or charity during this time. Adopt a family and |
| - Celebrate Arbor Day and plant a tree. If you | | | | give special gifts or the goods to make a dinner. |
| don't have a yard, plant a houseplant. It will be fun | | | | - For Christmastime, make homemade candy |
| to watch it grow over the years. | | | | cookies together. Make your own Christmas cards |
| - Celebrate Earth Day by supporting a cause of | | | | and send them to family and friends. Visit |
| interest. You might choose to adopt a wild animal, | | | | community events such as zoo lights, community |
| switch to environmentally friendly cleaning | | | | centers and recreation departments often |
| products, visit a health food store, or recycling | | | | sponsor fun events. Go for a sleigh ride. Have fun |
| center. | | | | thinking of gift ideas to give each family member. |
| - In May, celebrate Cinco De Mayo by learning | | | | Decorate your tree together. Do a Christmas |
| how to cook a Mexican meal together as a family. | | | | village, and try to buy a new piece each year. Go |
| You can even make fun mocktails the kids will | | | | around and look at light displays. Decorate your |
| enjoy. | | | | own home. Make cider, eggnog, or hot chocolate. |
| - Memorial Day is the time to pay tribute to our | | | | - For the first snow, make it a family tradition to |
| ancestors who have given their lives for the | | | | go sledding. When you are finished have some |
| freedoms we hold dear today. You can celebrate | | | | homemade hot cholcolate - the packaged stuff |
| this often overlooked holiday by visiting a | | | | you get from the grocery store is never as good. |
| cemetery and decorating graves with flowers or | | | | Have a nice pot of chili or homemade soup |
| flags. You can fly a United States flag (it is | | | | cooking in your crock-pot and make fresh bread |
| recommended only at half-staff until noon). | | | | in the bread maker. |
| Attend parades, firework displays, or memorial | | | | |