A wise, but slightly sarcastic, person once said that traditions are nothing but peer pressure from dead people. While that might be true for some of the less pleasant holiday traditions (does anyone like fruitcake? Anyone? No?), there are some traditions that are actually super fun, meaningful, and totally worthy passing down to the next generation.
One of the best things about traditions is that every family has a chance to develop their own thing and it doesn't have to be holiday related or involve cramming 12 screaming sugar-high grandchildren into matching pajamas. We talked to 15 moms who share year round traditions that they're hoping to keep going (and a few that need to be over yesterday)!
Family Dinner
“This is kind of a basic one, but I’m committed to passing on the tradition that we eat dinner at the table, as a family, most nights of the week. Our lives are so busy but we should never be too busy to eat together and to have some real conversation — no screens allowed!” — Miriam C., Columbia, Missouri
Activism
“I think the tradition my mom passed down to me that I want to pass down to my girls is being actively involved in women’s rights issues. I grew up going to protests for keeping abortion legal and, unfortunately, my daughters are still coming with me to protests today. I want them to know our family fights for all women and we give our time and money to do that.” — Elizabeth H., Tom’s River, New Jersey
Lake Time
“Our family has been going to the same lake resort in Minnesota for 40 years and I so treasure my memories of playing with my cousins on the beach, so now we go with my kids and they are getting the same magical week of lake time every year. It is worth every mosquito bite!” — Lucia H., Des Moines, Iowa
The Half-Birthday
“My birthday is December 23rd and my mom started a tradition of making a big fuss about my half birthday, so I’d have my party and get birthday gifts then, so it didn’t get blurred with Christmas. Now I have one kiddo with a December birthday and I do the same for them!” — Ellie O., Jackson, Mississippi
Too Much Church
“One that I am not passing down is having to go to church three times a week! We went on Wednesday nights and twice on Sundays (morning and evening services) and it was a lot. I’m still religious but I want a little more balance in my life and for my kids to have some more freedom to decide what faith will look like for them.” — Anjay N., Gilbert, Arizona
The Big Bike
“A tradition I like is that my grandfather was always the one in charge of buying the first big kid bike for each grandkid and teaching them to ride without training wheels. Now my dad is doing that for our kids. It’s a special thing that, so far, all nine grandkids have loved!” — Jenn K., Maple Grove, Minnesota
Birthday Choices
“When I was growing up, we had a tradition that when it was your birthday, you got to choose the meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And your cake and ice cream choice, too. Now I have triplets, so I’m doing a modified version where each gets to choose one meal to decide for (we rotate each year).” — Pammie H., Walla Walla, Washington
So Offensive
“My parents are Dutch and when I was a kid, we had both Santa and Santa’s helper, a character named Zwarte Piet. Um, so, Zwarte Piet is basically Santa’s slave, in blackface. It is super offensive, but I didn’t realize when I was a kid. Now I know better and told my parents we are not doing that under any circumstances with my kids.” — Marijke V., Hudsonville, Michigan
Sunday Dinner
“We always have popcorn and fruit for Sunday night dinner and everyone brings their book and gets to read at the table, just like when I was a kid. It is a nice way to bring the weekend to a close and fight off the onset of the Sunday scaries.” — Janelle E., St. Paul, Minnesota
Tooth Fairy Tradition
“It’s simple, I guess, but my mom always gave us either silver dollars or two dollar bills when we lost a tooth, so I do the same for my kids. Only know I have to double it and do two silver dollars or two bills to keep up with tooth fairy inflation!” — Alyssa S., Moscow, Idaho
Flower Power
“Starting in my grandma’s generation, all the women on my mom’s side of the family have flower middle names. I’m expecting my first girl baby in a few weeks and I can’t wait to carry on the tradition. Her middle name will be Poppy!” — Lana R., Carson City, Nevada
No Fun Farm
“I will not by continuing my husband’s family tradition of every one going back to the family farm to haul hay. I’m all about helping family and togetherness, but I hate working outside and the fact that someone always gets hurt and that I have to use three days of time off from work to drive back to Iowa to do it.” — Arnette D., Green Bay, Wisconsin
State Fair Vibes
“We are skipping this year for COVID reasons, but we love our family tradition of all meeting at the state fair on opening day. We eat way too much gross food, the cousins all do rides, and we love to check out all the baby animals. We’ve been going as a big family group since I was a little kid and I love it.” — Kim L., Oakdale, Minnesota
Home for Christmas
“I got heat for it, but we are breaking the family tradition of everyone meeting at one family’s house for Christmas morning. It’s just too much. Opening presents takes hours, nobody’s house is really big enough for all five of us and our kids and spouses. I just want to have a chill Christmas at my own house!” — Jessica W., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mental Health Day
“My mom always let us take one mental health day per school year, for a day when we just needed a break. It was nice to know that she understood that a kid needs a break sometimes. So I do the same for my kids and if they need a mental health day, we go see a movie or go to lunch together.” — Amina R., Dearborn, Michigan
