‘Family is everything’ is not a cliché. In a world in which more people are becoming disconnected, here are a few family traditions worth bringing back. While traditions differ according to circumstances and customs, the goal is to cultivate a sense of togetherness through repeated events. Choose your traditions, choose your family, and create some meaningful moments.
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Busy schedules, screen time, relatives living far apart – this is often what life looks like in today’s world. We don’t always realise it, but we don’t generally do well without a sense of family and community. So some family traditions are worth bringing back. Not because of the ritual itself but because it brings family together.
Of course, not all families look the same and some traditions will vary according to culture and preference. We hope you choose the best one for your family.
Sunday lunches
It doesn’t have to involve a roast and elaborately set table. The point is to have a weekly meal together where family can sit down together and engage – whether it’s around a braai, a pot of curry or a takeaway.
Family game nights
These are not everyone’s thing. But there’s one thing that board games, cards, and family quizzes do: interaction. If games are not your preference, choose an activity everyone can enjoy and keep the competitiveness friendly.
Celebrating small milestones
We usually celebrate birthdays, graduations and weddings, but smaller wins deserve recognition too. Finishing a project, passing an exam or just getting through a difficult week can be reason enough to celebrate.
Sharing family stories
Maintaining connection with the older generation is super important. Ask older relatives about the era in which they grew up, their jobs, childhoods and family history. These conversations preserve memories that might disappear (documenting stories is also an option). Younger generations may discover fascinating stories about where they come from.
An annual family outing
No need for an expensive holiday. A road trip, visit to the museum, beach day, picnic can all become events to look forward to every year. And by the way, the hassle of arrangements is all part of the tradition and can make for humorous moments.
Cooking together
Choose a family favourite and make it together. Food has the wonderful ability to connect generations and create memories even after the meal is done. Make a day out of it – play some music and just enjoy each other’s company.
The takeaway
Traditions don’t have to be elaborate, or even fixed. You get to decide. The goal is to create a sense of togetherness; repeated moment that make you realise that you’re part of a whole, that you belong somewhere.
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Featured image: Pexels
