| The holidays are filled with traditions and every | | | | one special or small gift to be opened on |
| family has their own, handed down for | | | | Christmas Eve, while the rest wait for Christmas |
| generations. Traditions surround the holidays, from | | | | day. This is a good compromise, which the kids |
| Christmas trees and ornaments to the food and | | | | especially love, because it extends the excitement |
| festivities. While traditions are important in | | | | of the season. Others use stockings as the |
| remembering where we came from, they are | | | | Christmas Eve treat, or Christmas crackers, |
| also important for where we are now. | | | | which are another fun project for the family to |
| With families spending less time together | | | | make. |
| throughout the year, between work, school and | | | | Another thing to consider is starting all new |
| activities, the holidays give them more time to be | | | | traditions for your family. Take a day and make |
| together. By following traditions, it's a way to | | | | decorations for the house. Old Christmas cards |
| reconnect, to draw closer to one another. | | | | make wonderful raw materials for all new |
| Traditions help hold families together. Your kids | | | | decorations. They are easy for the kids to cut |
| may grumble now about spending time with their | | | | and paste together. Many craft sites on-line have |
| relatives, but in the future, they will treasure | | | | suggestions for simple and fun creations. Try |
| those times. | | | | having an old-fashioned Christmas, make paper |
| Traditions aren't set in stone, though. Don't be | | | | chains and popcorn strings. You might surprise |
| afraid to build new traditions with your family. | | | | yourself at how much your family enjoys a "low |
| When a couple gets married, it's sometimes hard | | | | tech" Christmas. |
| to decide which set of traditions to follow. There | | | | When starting new traditions, another thing to |
| are ways to incorporate both sets of traditions, | | | | consider is volunteering to help those less blessed |
| as long as everyone works together, making the | | | | than your family. There are many charities that |
| holidays more memorable for everyone. Sit down | | | | love to have people come help before and during |
| and discuss the ideas that everyone has, and | | | | the holidays. There are also charities that accept |
| before long, you'll be having a wonderful time. | | | | new and gently used donations. It will surprise you |
| Some families only open presents on Christmas | | | | at how giving your family can be if given the |
| morning, while others open them on Christmas | | | | opportunity to think of others before themselves. |
| Eve. A good compromise would be to allow for | | | | |