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Try new family traditions for a more meaningful holiday season

The holidays are a time for traditions, regardless of where you’re from or what you believe in. Some holiday traditions could simply be spending time with friends and family, trimming the tree, baking gingerbread cookies, hanging the stockings, watching The Grinch for the hundredth time — the list goes on and on, and on again.

Over time, the meaning behind traditions and holidays can get lost, especially when it comes to Christmas, which tends to become more of a stressor than anything.

It’s important to always take a second to remember or learn why we celebrate certain holidays.

We’re not suggesting that you should stop doing any of your current holiday traditions — but maybe try adding a few new ones to your repertoire to freshen things up a bit!

It’s just including a few more fun activities to the holiday season — why not?


Support a good cause

Traditions usually revolve around the people you’re closest to — your friends and family — but they can, and should, also include your community. For communities to be successful, everyone has to pitch in and contribute.

Everyone needs help from time to time, and what better way to celebrate the season of giving than by supporting someone in need?

By contributing to a local cause, you’re giving back to your community and boosting the happiness of others around you. Teaching your children about the importance of helping others is important.

Establish a new tradition with your children and head out to your local food bank to give a helping hand or donations to those that need it. They will never forget your kindness.


Honour your ancestors

Traditions evolve throughout history and your ancestors have most likely moved around quite a bit. Why not do a little research into your heritage and find out what the older traditions of your ancestors were?

You might find a few that you will want to include this holiday season to honour them, or you will learn what present-day traditions used to be like.

At the very least, you will discover more about your heritage and that is always fascinating. Make sure to tell your family what you found out, they will want to know as well!


Ditch the gifts

Instead of contributing to our consumer culture, try a Secret Santa or gift exchange game! For those that don’t know what Secret Santa is, you pick a name out of a hat and you only buy that person a present. Make it a good one!

Usually there is a price limit for everyone to follow but that’s up to you. There are so many types of gift exchange games, so get creative!

This can be great if you have older children that are hard to buy for, or if you want to teach your children how to be more eco-friendly.

Maybe you want a fun tradition to start with your friends! Secret Santa is a perfect way to bond with your friends and family this holiday season without emptying your bank account.


Go outside

Sounds appealing in the winter right? It should! Bundle up and take your friends and family outdoors this winter for a snowball fight or a sledding trip. Make sure to bring hot cocoa to wrap up a fun time in the snow with the ones you love!

Going into the woods to find a Christmas tree can be a great way to bond with your family. Bring a packed lunch to round out the Christmas tree hunt!

Make sure to get a free permit before heading out and determine what region you’re allowed to cut one down. For more information on getting a free permit and regional restrictions, check it out here.


Talk about the highlights of the year or New Year’s resolutions

With New Year’s just around the corner, go around the table and have everyone say some of their favourite highlights of the year or what they are excited for next year. Such an easy, feel-good tradition!

Maybe start talking about your New Year’s resolutions a week early. If you’re someone who normally forgets until the first week of January to decide on your resolutions, this might help you pick sooner. There’s always one!


Celebrate with the family you choose

If the holiday season has never been a big thing for you because you aren’t close with your family, choose a day to invite your closest friends over to celebrate. Anyone can be considered family.

If you’re away at school for the holidays, invite your classmates over! You will make new friends and they’re most likely feeling homesick as well. You can bond over a variety of games and food — maybe even start new traditions of your own.


Think of others this holiday season

One of the main reasons behind traditions are to reconnect with those closest to you and to meet new people.

<who>Photo Credit: Central Okanagan Food Bank</who>

By adding some of these traditions to your holiday repertoire, you will develop deeper bonds with your family and friends while lending a helping hand to those in your community who are in need.

At the Central Okanagan Food Bank, they believe in developing strong, symbiotic communities. To help them in their mission to bring food to families and others in need, head over to their website, or drop off a donation at their Kelowna location or their West Kelowna location.


The Central Okanagan Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to create a healthy, hunger free community.

NowMedia sponsored content is written and posted in partnership with participating businesses. While NowMedia retains editorial control of sponsored content, the content is created in collaboration with the sponsor.



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