Families and individuals celebrate holidays in many different ways. Some folks don't even celebrate at all, or perhaps do so in small ways. Most of us, however, enjoy the opportunity of treating a special day in a meaningful way.
If you want to build some family holiday traditions but you're not sure how, here are some ideas to put sparkle into your festivities:
1. Decorate the house. From small window decals to table-top centerpieces, showcase your celebrations throughout the residence, whether you live in a one-room apartment or a multi-level mansion. Window candles, floral arrangements, wall hangings, dangling cards or decorations, hearth accents, and staircase adornments are just some of the ways that you can spread cheer all through the place you call home. Browse catalogs or stores for major holiday items, or make your own for less widely-known commemorations. Treat your visitors to a whole new world of festivities when they arrive by creating an appropriate mood.
2. Cook up some treats. Special foods have long been part of the tradition for most major holidays. Easter eggs and candies, Independence Day watermelon and ice cream, and Thanksgiving turkey with pumpkin pie give you an idea of the significant role food can play in holiday celebrations. Many meals include recipes passed down from earlier generations, and are preserved along with the memory of a certain ancestor. Other recipes can be taken from magazines or found on the Web. You can match seasonal foods to calendar events, or experiment to create new holiday favorites for the next generation. Appetizers, beverages, main courses, side dishes, desserts, and snacks all play a part in the drama of family holidays.
3. Wear your holiday garb. You may want to start small, with a bit of tinsel in your hair at Christmas or an Easter lily behind your ear for Easter. Some celebrants really get into the spirit of the day by dressing in a red, white, and blue outfit in July or a costume for Halloween. A glittery dress at New Year's or a cherry bough pin for Presidents Day can let others know that you are recognizing the special day.
4. Sponsor an event. Don't wait to be asked to a party; have one yourself! Or arrange a gathering to acknowledge the holiday at hand. Invite friends to a Saint Patrick's Day spud-eating contest or a Memorial Day trip to the cemetery for a solemn visit to those that have passed on. Ask the neighbors over for home-made ice cream on July fourth or a cookout on Labor Day. For those who don't celebrate Halloween, a harvest party makes a nice alternative. Thanksgiving is most definitely a time to share food and fellowship, while Christmas parties are replete with cheer and treats.
5. Make or send a special card. If you can't be with people who enjoy a special day that you likewise celebrate, send a card with expressions of shared celebration. Shop for seasonal holiday cards at the gift shop or send an online e-card. Better yet, make your own using computer graphics for a personalized touch that receivers will enjoy.
Whatever your favorite holiday, don't let it pass without taking time to do it up right this year. Cook, decorate, or dress for the occasion, and invite others to share your festivities.
