Traditions: the handing down of statements, beliefs, customs, etc. from generation to generation, by word of mouth or by practise.
As my children are getting older I find myself looking back and remembering all the ways we chose to stay connected as a family, and one of those ways, was through food. We used traditions passed down from our families when we were growing up and created new ones.
Every Friday is pizza night and on the rare occasion when we are not available to have it, we find ourselves craving pizza. Saturday morning is biscuit’s ( anyway you want them) , and Saturday dinner consists of hamburgers or hotdogs. And our Sunday is called “syrupy sunday” because we have something that needs syrup, pancakes, waffles, or french toast. Holidays can lend themselves to traditions too. For Christmas we decorate a homemade gingerbread house and give friends homemade goodies and meals as gifts. Our New Year eve use to be making dinner of all finger foods, but we ended up nibbling so much during the making and baking, that we weren’t really hungry when it was time to eat. But it was fun every year coming up with new and exciting things to make. We have since found this wonderful French bakery http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com/ that has become our New Years eve tradition.
Food traditions do have benefits, and here are a few to tempt your palate.
1.) They create warm and lasting memories. As the children get older, they too look back and remember all the great times that a gathering of family, friends and food offered.
2.) It connects people together and provides a way to pass on stories of other past generations even if they’re not exactly from your family. The stories can be about food from your own or other cultures and the meaning behind them.
3.) From a cooking and planning perspective, it’s nice to not have to plan and think about what will be for that meal. I always know that Friday is pizza night!
4.) It provides consistency and knowing. Life can leave you feeling uncertain sometimes, whether it’s your job, relationships, money, whatever it may be. But you and your children know for sure what to expect with whatever tradition you choose.
Don’t be afraid to change and experiment with ideas. As life marches on, flow with it and remember, just because the tradition is not kept forever doesn’t mean it has lost it’s original intent. Play with the concept and see what benefits it offers you!
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