1. Which of our family traditions have been carried on from the generation before us?(encourages family to recognize its roots)

2. Which traditions are new to our family, and how did they develop? (your children may not know why you have chosen to do things the way you do, so the special meaning of certain customs may be lost on them; children might assume all families do things the same way-establishes uniqueness and family identity; and personal history-their migration story)

3. What do our family traditions mean to us? Why are they worth maintaining? (the same customs may have different meanings for different family members)

4. Have any of our traditions lost their meaning? Why? Should we revitalize them, discontinue them, or replace them? (Tradition can become lifeless and routine if we don’t continue to invest it with meaning.)

5. Are there any traditions we have lost that we would like to reestablish?

6. Which new traditions would we like to begin?

Guidelines for Family Traditions

1. Simple projects are best and easiest to maintain.

2. Make sure that the burden of preparation doesn’t fall all on one person.

3. Plan and prepare ahead-preparation builds anticipation.

4. Avoid canceling or changing plans at the last moment.

5. Choose/maintain traditions that focus on values and relationships rather than on expensive gifts or activities.

6. Make sure every family member is included in the planning, preparation, and observance of traditions. And make sure that customs appeal to young and old alike.

7. Even as family traditions are meant to strength your family’s sense of identity include some that turn your family outward to include others.

8. If you have to enforce a tradition, you take the fun out of it.

9. Look for traditions that are tied to reoccurring events.

10. Use family traditions as teachable moments to call attention to the significance of an occasion.