Feature: A Time for Traditions
A Time For By Chef Perry P. Perkins
I grew up with a mom who was really, really into Christmas. Not like normal people are into Christmas, but more like our home, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, looked the Mall of America Christmas Town . . . stuffed into a two-bedroom apartment.
Once everything was in place, the garlands were hung, and the living room was bathed in the soft red and green glow of the tree. Then, it was Christmas.
She was really into it. Think: crazy cat lady, but with carols instead of calicos, and twinkle lights instead of tabbies. (There were cats too. Don’t even get me started . . .)
Whether it’s reading “The Night Before Christmas” in front of the fire on Christmas Eve, lighting the Chanukah menorah, or leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, traditions have been a part of the holidays since, well, since there have been the holidays, and for good reason.
Traditions were a big deal to Mom. From setting up the all-important Lazy Susan with nuts and hard candies (the good stuff didn’t come out until Christmas Eve—it’s like she didn’t trust me or something), to hanging everyone’s stocking in front of the—sometimes faux— fireplace. The same stack of records, the Christmas village on the coffee table, and of course the tree with the old-fashioned fat lights, and thick drape of “icicles” that we’d still be pulling out of the vacuum cleaner the next July.
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Why Traditions are Important
Throughout history, traditions have built a sense of stability and safety. Regardless of whatever else is happening, we look forward to coming together in these familiar rituals. It tells us that our traditions, our families, are stronger and more important than the events of the outside world, that they will live on, regardless of what changes life brings. This understanding builds trust and security. Children especially feel accepted within their “tribe” when they’re welcomed to take part in traditions. Ritual helps them to bond with one another, and with the rest of the family. Kids who feel connected with their family are less likely to seek out that connection, and the acceptance they desperately need, in other places. In our increasingly digital world of “Facebook friendships” this human connection is more important than ever. Equally important, our traditions connect us to our past. Whether it’s Great-Great-Grandma’s gravy boat, brought from the “old country” and saved for Christmas dinner, or re-telling the story of Grandpa going out in a blizzard to get a tree, traditions are a physical and spiritual link to our heritage; a way to pass along the
Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • December 2018
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