Family Time Traditions

The age-old saying is truer than any of us would like to admit–time goes faster as you get older. One minute your kids are being born and the next they’re out of the house creating and experiencing their own life adventures.

For this reason, spending quality time together as a family is something that should be treasured. Whether you are a new parent, an aunt, an uncle, or a grandparent, starting some new family time traditions will not only be fun, but will have lasting effects for generations to come.

The Importance of Family Time

_{Traditions create positive and lasting memories that will have benefits for years to come.}

Building a family culture and spending time with loved ones is important. Research conducted in "The Art of Manliness" article points out some amazing benefits of having family traditions. Here are 5 we loved:

Family Bond. Researchers have consistently found that families that engage in frequent traditions report stronger connection and unity.

Teach Values. One of the main purposes of traditions, whether religious or secular, is to impart and reinforce your family’s values.

Pass on Family Heritage. Many family traditions have been passed down through multiple generations. Continuing them in your own family is a great way to teach your children about your family’s heritage, thus adding to their personal identity.

Connect Generations. Family traditions are a great way to get extended family together and involve everyone from Great Grandma to the youngest of cousins.

Create Lasting Memories. If you ask anyone what positive memories they have about their childhood, chances are high that the answer will be about the simple, everyday traditions like family dinners, and get-togethers. 

Ideas for Family Time Traditions

_{Gather around a fireplace or outside a fire pit and simply talk about yourself and your life experiences.}

Family traditions can be anything your family would enjoy doing time and time again. They can be big or small, but they must differ from your daily routines and need to have a specific purpose in mind. When done right, traditions create lasting and memorable experiences in our everyday lives.

Cooking Together. Whether it’s baking cookies just because or you decide to dedicate Friday’s to “create your own pizza night”, you’ll be able to foster a deeper connection with one another through collaboration and interaction...oh and of course food!

Side note, our Fontana Forni Pizza Ovens are AWESOME! 100% made in Italy, built to last, superior design & construction. Just sayin'.

Create a Saturday Morning Play List. Saturday chores are sooo boring, but we all know they have to get done. So why not wake up and turn on some of your family's favorite music while you make breakfast and tidy up the house? You may just find that your spatula becomes a mic and picking up toys becomes a game of who can do it with the most dancing flair.

Family History Night. Gather around a fireplace or outside a fire pit and simply talk about yourself and your life experiences. If you don’t know where to start, we found a great list of questions on Familytree Magazine.

Dinner Table “Enjoy the Little Things” Jar. Have everyone in your family write down something that made them happy that day and put it into the jar. Do this every day for a year, then open the jar and read about all the amazing things that happened throughout the year.

Monthly or Annual Service Project. Whether it’s helping out at a local farm or visiting housebound members of your community, a service day instills the awareness of needs outside of ourselves and demonstrates what it means to be kind to others.

Annual Family Photos. Yes, it can be a pain to get everyone out in coordinating outfits, the kids to smile at the same time and the sunlight to hit just right, but even the most awkward of family photos always seems to bring a smile to those that see it. Plus, each year when you go to update the family picture frame, being able to look through all of the previous year’s pictures is a treasured moment that will warm your heart and remind you how fast life truly goes.

Opening Day of Favorite Sporting Event. Football, baseball, soccer, it doesn’t matter, there is something about taking in a game on opening day that is extra special. Especially if you have older children who are already out of the house. It’s an opportunity to enjoy special time together that everyone will look forward to each year.

Bring an Old or Lost Tradition Back. Do you have a tradition you loved as a kid that may have gotten lost along the way? Bring it back and give it new life! On top of all the new memories you’ll make, you’ll be able to share a little piece of your childhood with those you love.

What it's all About

When considering a new family tradition or even reinvigorating one from your childhood, remember, it does not have to be expensive, extravagant, or even structured. Just find a few simple ways to get the family to come together and to just have fun.

For more ideas on products your family will want to gather around, visit our Seasonal Favorites page.