Examples of family traditions have a magical power to bring loved ones closer. These traditions grow along with us, silently developing a sense of togetherness as the family expands. The best part of cultivating these meaningful rituals is that they not only inspire bonding but also strengthen the family connection over time.
I realized the value of family traditions only after I created my own family. After becoming a mother, I felt like I got to enjoy my childhood once again in my life. When many of my friends complained about how they were struggling with motherhood, I was actually enjoying life. It was more because of the nostalgia, especially the childhood memories built from the family traditions we had.
Most of the conversations I have with my dear ones now end like, ‘We used to do this regularly,’ ‘We used to be like this,’ ‘I used to love this.’ That’s when I decided we should also establish our own unique family traditions in our family.
What Are Family Traditions?
Family traditions are the activities, experiences, and cultural beliefs that are practiced consistently within the family and passed down from generation to generation. They can be a great way to preserve the identity of the family, stay connected to each family member as well as across generations, and create a sense of belonging and strong memories.
How to Choose the Best from a Family Traditions Examples List
Before going through in detail about the family traditions examples list, let’s have a look at quick tips on how to select family traditions to make it moving:
- Focus on the tradition that happens naturally. Most of the time, beautiful and unique traditions happen without us even realizing it.
- Work as a family, but consider each person as a separate individual under the same roof. Consider everyone’s preferences, beliefs, and perspectives while setting the final list.
- It should happen with teamwork, little effort, and feel motivating. It should not be so difficult that it drains energy, demotivates, or stresses anyone out.
- No rigid rules. These are all about beautiful memories and family bonding. Be flexible and make changes according to different phases of life.
- All are equals in this. No dictating. Let everyone get involved in the process.
- You and your partner are from different families, so you might have different cultures, values, and experiences. Respect those differences, even if it is something that is not interesting to you, and try to merge or include both while setting yours.
Family Traditions Examples
Picking a family tradition can sometimes be tricky. It should align with your family values, be acceptable and interesting to all family members, and be motivating enough to keep it going. I have compiled a list of 20 family tradition examples that feel connected to me and have been inspiring.
1. Follow Your Family Legacy
Take a moment to sit and reflect on the beautiful memories you and your partner have from growing up, along with the family traditions associated with them. If these traditions are relatable to everyone, stick with them. Some examples could include a particular way of celebrating birthdays, making sweets during full moon days, or reading a religious book during the holy month.
Sharing childhood experiences, storytelling, family history, memories of extended family members, religious or cultural traditions, or practices that have evolved or stopped can help newer generations stay connected to the family legacy.
2. Festival Traditions
Start and follow a special way of celebrating festivals. Examples include:
- Every year on December 31, sit together and discuss new year resolutions, personal goals, and family goals, ticking off or reflecting on the previous year’s list.
- Buying a new dress for everyone in the family to mark a particular occasion each year.
3. A Recipe That Reminds You of the Family
This is my personal experience. There are certain flavors or food smells that remind me of my grandma, my childhood, and many special memories. Sometimes, I get cravings and try the same recipe, and mindful eating helps me relive the past.
Create an authentic recipe that you and your partner make for your kids, like Dada’s special or Mama’s special, and let them experience the beauty of emotionally connecting through food.
4. Make a Family Bucket List
Take everyone’s preferences into consideration while making the list, and enjoy the process of adding items and the thrill of ticking off each one.
5. Gardening Together
Gardening is not just fun; it’s about creating beautiful memories, connecting with nature, developing patience, and putting in effort. Having a family that loves plants equally, with experiences and feelings to share, is special.
6. Gesture of Expressing Love and Unity, like a Family Hug
Try to practice a family hug as the first thing after the family reunites each day, no matter how busy you are, and experience the feelings together.
7. Family Screen Time
Having personal favorite TV shows or watching series on individual laptops is fine, but have one TV show that brings all the family members together at the same time. The shows may change, but eagerly waiting for showtimes, endless discussions, and predictions will create beautiful memories for years to come.
8. Turning Some Habits or Values Your Family Follows Into a Tradition
An example could be having a morning routine, like getting fresh, avoiding screens before watching the sky, and taking a deep breath every morning.
9. Exercise Together, at Least on the Weekend
Having an exercise routine and a session together, which can be anything from yoga, dancing, or simple walks in the park.
10. Decluttering Routine with Lots of Music and Coordination
Finish everything together, take a bath, relax, and sit on the sofa with a cup of tea. Experience it.
11. Pack Your Meals and Move Outside to Spend Time in Nature While Eating
Make it a habit to spend time in nature – some quiet, relaxing time with your family. A mat or chair might do, and you can spend the whole day there, eating meals, talking, and enjoying a complete digital detox day.
12. A Unique Way of Relaxing as a Family During the Weekend
For us, it’s more like a prolonged weekend dinner—the only day when we relax our rule of no screen time or TV during meals.
13. Keep a Family Journal
Give everyone a chance to document their favorite memories, life events, gratitude, Thanksgiving, or any messages to each other.
14. Family Movie Night
I grew up watching movies in the theater regularly, especially when a new movie of our favorite star or any new family movie released. I still remember how excited we used to get—booking tickets, eating out, enjoying ice cream or popcorn on movie day, and having fun debates over each other’s disagreements in reviews.
15. Make an Album
Whether digital or in a book form, make sure to compile your favorite moments and add them to your album.
16. Have a Shared Hobby
Explore hobbies together and find one that everyone can enjoy. For us, it’s mindful photography.
17. A Day to Follow Rules with Fun and Love
How about a strict “no” to junk food and non-veg, and a day filled with vegetables and fruits every month on a fixed day, without any compromise?
18. Keeping Something to Pass to the Next Generation
My sister once shared how excited she felt when her mother-in-law gave her some ornaments to keep safe, which she had received from her own mother. I decided to do the same the very next moment. While jewelry is common in our culture, it doesn’t have to be jewelry. Choose with heart.
19. Have a Favorite Family Restaurant or Spot
Find a place that everyone loves and make it a habit to visit regularly, especially for a weekend getaway, celebrating events, or a winter spot, to make memories and emotionally connect to the place.
20. Game Time
Having game time as a family can be a great way to unwind and grow both as individuals and as a family. It can take on different “seasons,” from badminton to chess to board games, or anything else you enjoy.
21. A Financial Goal: Save for Something Together
Let everyone put in effort and contribute to something (for example, kids can skip an ice cream offer and contribute it one time) and achieve that goal. It gives a sense of accomplishment, unity, and teaches the importance of financial management.
22. Souvenirs
Buy souvenirs from special places you visit as a family and display them together.
23. Annual Gatherings
Plan a get-together with special people in your life, such as extended family members or friends, every year on a special occasion or at a particular location. For us, it was at my grandma’s house every year for a special religious festival we celebrated.
24. Some Fun or Silly Custom
It can be anything, like buying chocolates on salary day, having dinner outside on the last day of school, or enjoying ice cream after completing exams.
25. Gift
Make it a habit to set one occasion every year when everyone puts in effort and actively participates in buying a gift for each other. The fun is in guessing what might make each other happy and keeping it a surprise.
26. Give Freedom to Choose Dresses
Give everyone the opportunity to choose a dress for each other once a year, without worrying about judgment, and allowing them to test their preferences or fashion choices on each other.
27. Write Letters
Write letters to each other every Christmas.
28. Family’s Unique Way of Service
Enjoy the immense happiness we get from helping strangers. For us, it was donating food or clothes on each birthday without revealing our identity.
Reflections From Mindful Portrait
Family traditions examples will never end. If we ask the elders in our families, they have their own list of things they used to do as a family, but they never knew it was actually a family tradition. Similarly, if we sit down and reflect, we will realize that most of our memories are tied to some family traditions, which we never noticed. Now it’s our turn. Make your own family traditions, keep them going, and give our kids a chance to share beautiful stories of their growing years.
