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From Christmas, to Easter, to Valentines Day, and every other holiday that comes to mind, customs abound from these time-honored days. A ‘custom’ is defined as a ‘habit’, something that you do over and over. Many of these customs involve children and family, allowing us to make use of these special days to spend some quality and quantity time with our family members. They give people reasons and excuses to send cards and gifts, and allow us to step outside the day to day grind of daily life to let those around us know we care for and love them.
Christmas is steeped in customs. From sitting down as a family to write letters to old St. Nick, to hanging stockings over the fireplace so he may leave some candy and fruit when he pays his yearly visit. Some families trek off to the woods to cut down the family tree, or more often the tree lot in this modern day, then finish off the day by decorating the tree together and sharing a cup of eggnog in front of the newly lit tree. These practices are repeated year after year, forming family traditions, or customs.
Easter is often celebrated by the coloring of eggs. This custom is central to the meaning of Easter, as eggs symbolize ‘new life’. Rabbits are also considered representative of new life, and the giving of a newborn bunny to someone you love is a customary Easter gift.
Halloween is a celebration for the dead, yet has become a festive time for children and adults through many of the customs that have arisen from this celebration. Dressing up in the image of monsters, vampires, and other scary creations, even the not so scary, such as cartoon favorites, even Presidents, (well, those are kind of scary!) is the most commonly associated custom with Halloween. The carving of jack-o-lanterns, going door to door trick-or-treating, and playing old fashioned games at gatherings are also customs.
Thanksgiving is often thought of as a celebration native to the United States, but this is not really true. Many countries celebrate ‘Thanksgiving’, in tribute to a bountiful harvest. In the United States it is not Thanksgiving without the customary turkey feast. The family gathering is also considered a part of Thanksgiving Day worldwide.
Valentines Day is a day to let your loved ones, and that secret love that you may have, know that they are the ‘apple of your eye’! Giving of flowers, candy, and cards are all customs associated with Valentines Day. The symbol of Cupid, the god of love, adorns many of these gifts. The color red, oversized hearts, white doves, and elaborately decorated cards are all customs of Valentines Day.
New Years Eve is a time to celebrate everything new. From this, the custom of New Year Resolutions has started. Promises to stop bad habits, try better at this or that, lose weight, quit smoking, etc., are all common resolutions. A new custom now associated with New Years Day, is the game of football. New Years Eve, worldwide, is spent watching the customary ‘ball’ drop. This represents the ‘out with the old, in with the new’.
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States. The most common custom of this holiday is the lighting of fireworks. Sparklers, firecrackers, and other fireworks are often set off at family and town gatherings on the night of the Fourth. Parades are also a custom that many towns across the United States put on for this celebratory day. Picnics, the eating of watermelon, and small town fairs are all customs associated with this national holiday.
Whatever the holiday, and no matter how many customs are already associated with it, go ahead and make your own family traditions and customs. Family after all is said and done, is the beast custom of any holiday!
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