Sharing Traditions
If you’re tired of the same old trip to the mall to see Santa, or the usual Thanksgiving Day routine, try some of these traditions.
Whether it’s putting a new twist on an old tradition or creating a brand-new family holiday, you’re sure to find some inspiration from these great ideas from reader's of LDS Living Magazine.
Thanksgiving Traditions:
The Gratitude Tree
In the fall, our family goes on walks to find colorful leaves. After collecting several of our favorites, we seal them in clear Con-Tact paper to preserve them. We put up our artificial Christmas tree on November 1 (without decorations), and every day until Thanksgiving each family member chooses a leaf, writes one thing he or she is grateful for, and hangs it on the tree. As the leaves accumulate, it’s easy for our kids to see how many blessings we have in our lives.
Jennifer Barnes Chicago, Illinois
Turkey Bowl
My husband comes from a rather large family, and many of his brothers and sisters live nearby. Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the adults gather for a game of flag football—better known as the Turkey Bowl. The losing team has to wash all the Thanksgiving dishes. With about forty people gathering for the feast, the stakes are high and the game is always exciting! The Larson Family San Jose, California
Five Kernels of Corn
One of our favorite sermons by General Authority Sterling W. Sill involves five kernels of corn. On Thanksgiving, we would place five kernels of corn on each person’s dinner plate. During the meal, each family member took the opportunity to pick up a kernel and express gratitude for a particular blessing. We continued around and around the table until we had each shared five blessings we were thankful for. It was always a tender moment when a missionary son would send his thoughts via mail to be shared at Thanksgiving dinner.
Karen Duffy Auburn, Washington
Family Feathers
On the first Sunday in November, my children cut out construction-paper turkey feathers. With a little help from Mom and Dad, they place them in envelopes and mail them to all of their cousins and grandparents. Each person writes on a feather something he or she is thankful for and mails it back to us. After Thanksgiving dinner, our children take turns reading the feathers aloud and taping them on a piece of poster board with a turkey drawn on it. It’s been a wonderful way to help our family feel blessed and at the same time feel more connected to relatives who are not able to join us for the holiday.
Lisa Smith Salt Lake City, Utah
Giving Day
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, our family participates in what has become know n as “Giving Day.” I gather old clothes and shoes, and our children each fill a box with some of their toys to donate to the local women’s shelter. This is a great way to teach our children to think about others. Plus, you’ll clear some room for next month’s Christmas presents! Julie Phipps Boise Idaho
Christmas Traditions:
Sleeping Under the Tree
Our family sleeps in sleeping bags under the Christmas tree on December 23. We’ve been doing it for thirty years now, and it’s great fun. Everyone looks forward to it!
Brian Palmer
Santa’s Workshop
Our family sets aside a day at the beginning of December to transform our playroom into Santa’s workshop. We all sift through the children’s toys and collect the ones that are in good condition but have not been played with in quite some time. We wash them with soap and water and do any minor repairs such as brushing a doll’s hair and putting in a pretty ribbon, or sewing a small tear in a hand puppet. When all the toys are ready to go, we either take them to Good Will or a local homeless shelter. Our kids feel good about sharing their toys with kids who are less fortunate, and we enjoy a little extra storage space—at least until Christmas morning!
Susan Johnson New York, New York
Personal Ornaments
Every year I buy each child an ornament signifying what they had an interest in for that particular year. One year my son loved playing a card game. For his ornament, he had a card decorated with a string! Once my children marry, the ornaments go with them.
Charlotte Roberts Hickory Creek, Texas
Christmas Eve Books
When I was a fairly young mother, this quote by Strickland Gillilan struck me deeply:
You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.
I, too, had both a mother and a grandmother who read to me—something I cherished. With that in my heart, I determined that perhaps something I could do that would be more lasting than other trendy gifts at Christmas would be a specially selected book for each member of my family.
I would listen all year and choose a special book that perhaps focused on a hobby, told a story I wanted them to experience, or, many times, a specific book that they hoped for. Once it was chosen, I would sit on Christmas Eve day and write a personal note in the front cover that spoke of my impressions over the past year.
After the other traditions are carried out, the gift-wrapped books would be given and opened one at a time. Each person would then enjoy their title and read their note from me. Through the years, as my children grew, they began surprising me with a book of my own. It has become one of our most bonding and cherished traditions.
M. Steed
Three Gifts
My husband and I decided before we had our children that Christmas would not be all about the presents they are receiving. So we started a tradition with our first child, and it has continued with the next two. We each receive three gifts to represent the three gifts given to Christ from the Wise Men. Not only does it cut down on expenses, but each Christmas morning we can remind our children of the wonderful night of our Savior’s birth.
Alethea Carpenter Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
New Years Traditions:
Piece of Cake
My husband served his mission in Greece, and for New Year’s Eve we use the old Greek tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, or as we call it, the “New Year’s cake”—a big cake with a silver dollar inside. At midnight, we cut a piece of cake for each friend and family member. The one who gets the dollar carries an extra bit of good luck into the New Year
Anita Grover
Pots and Pans
My mother would always run to the front porch yelling Happy New Year and banging the pots and pans together. I don't think I've missed a year of 'Pots and Pans' for over 40 years now!
Myra Christensen
Whether it’s putting a new twist on an old tradition or creating a brand-new family holiday, you’re sure to find some inspiration from these great ideas from reader's of LDS Living Magazine.
Thanksgiving Traditions:
The Gratitude Tree
In the fall, our family goes on walks to find colorful leaves. After collecting several of our favorites, we seal them in clear Con-Tact paper to preserve them. We put up our artificial Christmas tree on November 1 (without decorations), and every day until Thanksgiving each family member chooses a leaf, writes one thing he or she is grateful for, and hangs it on the tree. As the leaves accumulate, it’s easy for our kids to see how many blessings we have in our lives.
Jennifer Barnes Chicago, Illinois
Turkey Bowl
My husband comes from a rather large family, and many of his brothers and sisters live nearby. Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the adults gather for a game of flag football—better known as the Turkey Bowl. The losing team has to wash all the Thanksgiving dishes. With about forty people gathering for the feast, the stakes are high and the game is always exciting! The Larson Family San Jose, California
Five Kernels of Corn
One of our favorite sermons by General Authority Sterling W. Sill involves five kernels of corn. On Thanksgiving, we would place five kernels of corn on each person’s dinner plate. During the meal, each family member took the opportunity to pick up a kernel and express gratitude for a particular blessing. We continued around and around the table until we had each shared five blessings we were thankful for. It was always a tender moment when a missionary son would send his thoughts via mail to be shared at Thanksgiving dinner.
Karen Duffy Auburn, Washington
Family Feathers
On the first Sunday in November, my children cut out construction-paper turkey feathers. With a little help from Mom and Dad, they place them in envelopes and mail them to all of their cousins and grandparents. Each person writes on a feather something he or she is thankful for and mails it back to us. After Thanksgiving dinner, our children take turns reading the feathers aloud and taping them on a piece of poster board with a turkey drawn on it. It’s been a wonderful way to help our family feel blessed and at the same time feel more connected to relatives who are not able to join us for the holiday.
Lisa Smith Salt Lake City, Utah
Giving Day
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, our family participates in what has become know n as “Giving Day.” I gather old clothes and shoes, and our children each fill a box with some of their toys to donate to the local women’s shelter. This is a great way to teach our children to think about others. Plus, you’ll clear some room for next month’s Christmas presents! Julie Phipps Boise Idaho
Christmas Traditions:
Sleeping Under the Tree
Our family sleeps in sleeping bags under the Christmas tree on December 23. We’ve been doing it for thirty years now, and it’s great fun. Everyone looks forward to it!
Brian Palmer
Santa’s Workshop
Our family sets aside a day at the beginning of December to transform our playroom into Santa’s workshop. We all sift through the children’s toys and collect the ones that are in good condition but have not been played with in quite some time. We wash them with soap and water and do any minor repairs such as brushing a doll’s hair and putting in a pretty ribbon, or sewing a small tear in a hand puppet. When all the toys are ready to go, we either take them to Good Will or a local homeless shelter. Our kids feel good about sharing their toys with kids who are less fortunate, and we enjoy a little extra storage space—at least until Christmas morning!
Susan Johnson New York, New York
Personal Ornaments
Every year I buy each child an ornament signifying what they had an interest in for that particular year. One year my son loved playing a card game. For his ornament, he had a card decorated with a string! Once my children marry, the ornaments go with them.
Charlotte Roberts Hickory Creek, Texas
Christmas Eve Books
When I was a fairly young mother, this quote by Strickland Gillilan struck me deeply:
You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.
I, too, had both a mother and a grandmother who read to me—something I cherished. With that in my heart, I determined that perhaps something I could do that would be more lasting than other trendy gifts at Christmas would be a specially selected book for each member of my family.
I would listen all year and choose a special book that perhaps focused on a hobby, told a story I wanted them to experience, or, many times, a specific book that they hoped for. Once it was chosen, I would sit on Christmas Eve day and write a personal note in the front cover that spoke of my impressions over the past year.
After the other traditions are carried out, the gift-wrapped books would be given and opened one at a time. Each person would then enjoy their title and read their note from me. Through the years, as my children grew, they began surprising me with a book of my own. It has become one of our most bonding and cherished traditions.
M. Steed
Three Gifts
My husband and I decided before we had our children that Christmas would not be all about the presents they are receiving. So we started a tradition with our first child, and it has continued with the next two. We each receive three gifts to represent the three gifts given to Christ from the Wise Men. Not only does it cut down on expenses, but each Christmas morning we can remind our children of the wonderful night of our Savior’s birth.
Alethea Carpenter Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
New Years Traditions:
Piece of Cake
My husband served his mission in Greece, and for New Year’s Eve we use the old Greek tradition of Saint Basil’s cake, or as we call it, the “New Year’s cake”—a big cake with a silver dollar inside. At midnight, we cut a piece of cake for each friend and family member. The one who gets the dollar carries an extra bit of good luck into the New Year
Anita Grover
Pots and Pans
My mother would always run to the front porch yelling Happy New Year and banging the pots and pans together. I don't think I've missed a year of 'Pots and Pans' for over 40 years now!
Myra Christensen
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