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Feb 2010

The Non-Traditional Traditions

February 9, 2010 By 10 Comments
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Growing up we had traditions; putting up the Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving, finding our hidden Easter baskets (even through high school), mom cooking our favorite dinner on our birthday. We came to expect such things and they were a welcome friend. It was a warm and comforting part of my childhood. We now do similar traditions with our own boys and I’m seeing the same fulfillment in their eyes when we “get to do that again!”. Something though that was an unexpected tradition, has become a wonderful part of our family routine.

Going to Grandma & Papa’s.

They live about an hour away and ever since our oldest was a baby we would pack up and stay for the weekend. In fact at just four-days-old, our youngest came to experience his first weekend sleepover with us there. We usually find the boys’ fave drinks and snacks waiting on the counter, open arms for hugs, and a relaxing weekend ahead. There are times that the preparation of packing our family of four + dog for an overnight stay seem daunting, but as I step through that front door, I am hit with a wave of gratitude. Whether the husband golfs with his dad, we pack up and head out to shop or just stay home and enjoy afternoons of movies, coloring, and take-out dinner – we are creating a special tradition for our boys. Something they look forward to, find love and comfort in, and hopefully pass down to their own children some day.

I’d love to hear some of your favorite non-traditional traditions, or perhaps something you hope to do in the future!

About Angie


Angie is the founder and editor of The Creative Mama, who lives in the beautiful Bay Area, CA. She also blogs her own personal journey at angiewarren.com. When she isn't writing or taking photos, Angie can be found having tickle fights with her boys and frequenting the local Starbucks.

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  • http://jaimeflemingphotography.yolasite.com Jaime Fleming

    Malakai usually picks one night every week or where we ‘camp out’ in the living room. we get blankets and floor mats to sleep on and we get snacks and watch a movie. kai thinks it’s the best thing in the world…every single time.

  • http://www.stephaniewindphotography.com Stephanie Wind

    We have two that stand out in my mind. 1) Saturday Morning Mickey Pancakes. My husband and I met working at Walt Disney World. Even though we no longer live in FL, Disney is still a big part of our lives – and even more so of course with kids! Every Saturday morning, my husband makes everyone chocolate chip Mickey shaped pancakes. It’s something we look forward to starting Friday morning, in anticipation for the weekend.
    2) When my husband gets home from work in the evening, my kids like to be “jumped on the bed.” We all go upstairs with Daddy, so he can change out of his suit and tie, and then we all take turns being thrown way up to the ceiling and thrown down onto the bed by Daddy. It started out with my 3 year old…then of course my one year old thought it looked like fun…and then my 3 year old thought MOMMY should be “jumped on the bed” too! It’s kind of our little celebration that Daddy is home from work.

  • http://www.angiewarrenphotography.com Angie

    Jaime that is a fabulous idea, a camp out!

    Stephanie, sounds like some fabulous traditions – I love that you incorporate history between you & your husband.

  • http://hollyannhunt.com Holly H.

    It was difficult for our family to have traditions after my mom died a few years ago. She was the “traditions holder” for the family. We’ve worked hard and now have many traditions that are just our own. One is a special breakfast out for every holiday. I mean, EVERY holiday….we even get to go out to celebrate Ground Hog Day. Another is Popcorn Movie Night on Fridays, and one more is a regular trip to Idaho for skiing to a place that reminds us all of Grandma. I always make “Gran-muffins (instead of bran muffins) when we go. A favorite recipe of hers that we’ve re-named.

    Our kids have come to rely on these things, and they really do enrich our lives as a family, regardless of how silly or serious they are. Thanks for giving me reason to reflect on them, Angie!

  • http://www.simplekids.net Kara

    A few times a month we have “The Friday Night Nest” where we gather up all the pillows and blankets in the house and make a “nest” on the floor, pop popcorn, and watch a movie together. We have seen lots of favorites movies from my husband and I’s childhood and discovered new family favorites, too. But, more importantly, we’ve had some great conversations and look forward to that family “date” all week long. I think Chris and I have as much fun as the kids :-)

  • http://www.angiewarrenphotography.com Angie

    Holly, I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom – sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of honoring her, I also love the holiday breakfasts! Fab idea!

    Kara, your nest sounds like so much fun! I bet our boys would have a hay day with that idea :)

  • http://ordinaryinspirations.wordpress.com thea

    We are pretty boring. Friday movie night with popcorn and M&M’s, pancake Saturdays or big breakfast Sundays ( bacon, eggs, the works!!). However, these are very special moments…we love them!!!!

  • RubyDu

    My family gets together every year for “Christmas” over the long Thanksgiving weekend. We all live in different areas of the country, but we meet up on Wednesday night at a youth camp in Wisconsin that my parents rent out for the entire holiday. Each family gets their own cabin, which is just a heated building with bunk beds. There is a main “lodge” with a large common area, a commercial kitchen, and a huge fireplace. We all stay through Sunday, celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then we go on our merry way. By celebrating this way each family eliminates one-half of the “where do we go on Christmas Day?” dilemma. The major added bonus is that this place is on a preserve. All the kids have come to adore the area where they can explore the woods with lots less parental supervison than they get in their hometowns. It’s a wonderful tradition that my kids talk about all year.

  • http://pleasedontfeedthemom.blogspot.com Jennifer

    What a great tradition? You go every weekend? I wish I had that connection with my parents.
    My husband takes the boys every Sunday morning for donuts and coffee =) It\’s adorable to see them eating every last sprinkle and he\’s drinking every last drop.

  • http://www.angiewarrenphotography.com Angie

    RubyDu what a wonderful, wonderful way to celebrate as a family all while crossing that difficult hurdle of pleasing each family member during Christmas. I bet the kids love it!

    Jennifer no, not every weekend :) Usually 2 out of 4 though.