NANA SAYS BLEND SOME CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS WITH MODERN IDEAS

Family traditions are okay but they should not get in the way of how a modern family needs to function during the holidays. Some parents can take time off work to be home during the school break but many need to work. Not everyone can afford a trip south to get away from it all. Then the demands of " this is the way we always did It!" Yes when you were a child but now the two parents both bring traditions to the table. My husband and I blended the Italian-Canadian aspect of our family. Christmas Eve with the seafood dinner and 7 dishes that came from his home country of Italy was always welcome. Christmas Day with the Canadian turkey dinner and all the trimmings with the Christmas crackers- English idea gave the Canadian tradition I experienced as a child. The stockings for the children were hung with the goodies to come from Santa. Adolph did not have a stocking as a child so never rose to the occasion of wanting a stocking. So we do not do it now that we have been empty Nester! Although I miss the idea of filling a stocking at Christmas. Of course my house was always decorated for Christmas with the tree and lots of lights. My mother always made our childhood home very festive with lots of baked goods. Making new family traditions work. My children were always allowed to open one present Christmas Eve, where as a child I was not. My children love the idea that Christmas dinner is still at home with the parents. They do have some events during the season we attend. Perhaps the children in the family will bring an idea for everyone to do thus creating a new family tradition. Some couple still spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day driving to family events all over the province. Not a great tradition. Some families should rethink how to get members together without the stress of all the driving. There will come a day when these parents will go to the children's home for the dinner. As children grow, they want to stay in their own home Christmas day to play with their stuff. There are plays and concerts and ballets at Christmas that can become a tradition too. Some people like to see the National Ballet Nutcracker every year in Toronto. I have seen it with the girls when they were younger. Perhaps it is time to take the grandchildren to see it- a new tradition. Parents are trying to create memories and traditions for their little ones to capture. Less is more! The simple things are the best things. Rather than trying to bake for an army, maybe just make some simple sugar cookies to be decorated as an activity. Bringing those cookies to the Christmas dinner are always welcome. Those boxed gingerbread houses that many children love to make are fun too. But less is more, so attending all the functions that come with the season is cumbersome, try to slow down all the rush. A good hot chocolate with marshmellows while watching a favourite Christmas movie while cuddling on the couch is a good simple, fun event. Maybe while the kids are watching, the weary parents can take a short nap. One of the best Christmas traditions is you the parent! How you handle the season makes the memories. If you are tired and nagging and just complaining about all the work that is the memory you are creating. So check yourself periodically. If you are not enjoying yourself, try to cut back on some aspects. Life is not perfect, so Christmas will not be perfect either. Just aim for a good one. December events are just gearing up, so remember your support team- the grandparents and the siblings without children. How can they help!