Tag Archives: tradition

5 Holiday Traditions in Memory of a Loved One

15 Dec

Sue Shirley Cooking Kitchen HolidayThe holidays are an emotional time, full of joy, thankfulness, wonder … and, yes, often the resurgence of grief.

It’s okay to feel sorrow amid all the merriment. As a matter of fact, you can take the fuel of that emotion and use it to propel you toward something constructive for you and your kids: a  positive way to remember the person that you’re missing.

Included below are a few of my family’s favorite traditions in honor of Sue and Shirley. You certainly don’t have to do all of them, but maybe one will resonate and become a treasured annual remembrance for you and family. Continue reading →

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Hour Gifts

23 Dec

80s XmasMy mom came up with this when I was 12. At first I absolutely hated the idea. But with time, it’s grown to be one of my favorite holiday memories.

And now it’s a tradition for my own little family.

Maybe it could help slow down the Christmas craziness at your house, too. The question is:

Are you patient enough to give it a try?

Hour Gifts

The idea is, well, you can probably guess. Everyone opens one gift on the hour for as long as you have gifts to open.

You can start it at any time: when the kids get up, after breakfast, after they’ve opened gifts from the grandparents, etc.

Your kids might complain at first, but they’ll come around. Think about it:

Isn’t it better to have the anticipation and fun of opening gifts for perhaps half  a day, than just a half hour?

It makes the excitement of the day last that much longer!

More Gift Ideas:

And, by all means, if you have your own gift-giving ideas or traditions, please share!

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Strong Females in Literature Costumes: Carmen

31 Oct

Strong Females in Literature Costumes Year 1For my daughter’s first Halloween, Sue set the bar very high with Amelia Earhart.

Once the torch was handed to me, I continued the theme of Inspiring Women in History costumes. In 2011 there was Marie Curie, and the next year we finished the trio with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (Appropriately enough, it was an election year. And, yes, that was by design.)

In 2013, I wanted to somehow continue the tradition Sue started, but was ready to change my theme a bit.

How about… strong females in literature costumes?!

Continue reading →

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