I'm writing this Friday night to post Saturday.
We are heading out to get our Christmas tree on Saturday. This will be the first year for our youngest to come with us. We have learned that it is better to wait until they are over two years old so that they can handle the trip. We will go out and cut our tree and bring it home. It is a small tradition, but important to us. The importance is that we do it together. Sarah and I are really seeking to build memories for our kids. We want many of those memories to center around doing things together as a family. Evening dinners together, sitting and reading together, going on short or long trips together. And going to get a tree. The kids help us pick out a good one and help (as much as small children can) to cut it down and bring it out. It is a great time for us to bond together and have a shared sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Christmas is a great time to set some family traditions, although there should be regular and year round examples of family together times that build special memories. Especially if you have young children in your life, this is important, but it does not fade in importance as you deal with teens and even young adults. The anchors of family closeness (not merely together in the same house but a mutual sharing and intimacy) and tradition are bedrocks that will help kids and young people whether the winds of the world.
I'm looking forward to a day with my family and time this coming week when I can focus only on them. Make sure you do the same.
