Why honor tradition? Ask Tevye, from Fiddler on the Roof: “You may ask ‘How did this tradition get started?’ I’ll tell you! I don’t know! But because of our traditions, each one of us in Anatevka knows who he (or she) is. Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years.”

Keeping balance, feeling centered and staying grounded are key to nurturing our souls. Amidst today’s chaotic pace and distractions, we need thoughts and activities that offer inspiration, continuity and meaning. Significant or even trivial rituals will enrich us.

It’s fun to repeat classic traditions like wishing on the evening star or birthday cake candles. It’s equally special to create a personal “portfolio” of unique ones. Keeping tradition need not be expensive; whether simple or elaborate, it’s valuable. The essential investment is time to appreciate, enjoy and create memories.

Let’s explore some popular and lesser-known traditions for upcoming holiday and spring seasons. Search online for more ideas, how-tos, recipes, details, etc.

October 26

HOWL AT THE MOON DAY AND NIGHT

• Whatever the hour, howl!

October 31

HALLOWEEN

• Trick-or-treating and costume parties.
• Decorate or carve a pumpkin.
• Apple bob.
• Stuff a scarecrow.
• Dunk donuts in hot apple cider.
• Leaf peep.

November

THANKSGIVING DAY

• Give thanks, count blessings, indulge cravings!
• Serve favorite family recipes and try new ones.
• Football, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and National Dog Show for couch entertainment.
• Get active … run a turkey trot, toss horseshoes, play catch.
• Design place cards and invite someone who is alone to your table.

December

HANUKKAH

• Festival of Lights, observed for eight days.
• Those of Jewish faith light eight menorah candles (one each night) using the ninth candle, the shammash.
• Readings, storytelling, family games, gift exchanges and special music abound.
• Non-Jewish folks also prepare delicious kosher foods like latkes (Eastern-European potato pancakes) or sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts of Israel).

December 20

UGLY SWEATER DAY

• Scour a thrift store or your closet. Choose ugly-plus and wear it proudly.

December 21

WINTER SOLSTICE

• Enjoy the shortest day of the year with an outdoor campfire or inside Yule log or pillar candle altar.
• Weave evergreen wreath from pine, fir, juniper or cedar.
• Create meditation space.
• Pause. Reflect. Journal.
• Consider your place in the eternal circle of life.

CHRISTMAS SEASON

• Advent calendars.
• Fetching trees.
• Touring holiday lights.
• Caroling and wassail.
• Donating toys.
• Baking gingerbread figurines.
• Mistletoe kisses.
• Holiday tea.
• Puppet show.
• Hanging glass pickle (Germany). First to spy on tree Christmas morning opens first present!
• Pomanders (17th century Europe) dried oranges, studded with cloves, hung with ribbon.
• Decorating a wildlife tree. Only nutritious edible snacks.
• Read The Night Before Christmas aloud and leave Santa milk and cookies.
• Assemble a nativity.
• Cherish a silent night.

December 31 + January 1

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR

• Clean. Throw dirty water out the window.
• (Greece) Hang onions.
• (Colombia) Carry an empty suitcase New Year’s Eve. Oh, the places you’ll go next!
• (Italy) Eat lentils.
• (Venezuela) Wear yellow underwear. In Italy, wear red!
• Eat 12 lucky grapes as seconds tick down to zero.
• Toast to “Auld Lang Syne.”
• Midnight kiss.
• Greet sunrise.
• Smash a peppermint pig.
• Polar bear plunge.

January 3

FRUITCAKE TOSS DAY

• Chuck a fruitcake as far as you can.

February 2

GROUNDHOG DAY

• If Groundhog sees his shadow, hunker down for six more winter weeks. Otherwise think spring!

February 14

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

• Love is all around …
• (Wales) Couples exchange wooden spoons.
• (Italy) Single women rise before dawn to glimpse future husband.
• (Romania) Couples wash faces with snow for good luck.
• (England) Women place five bay leaves on pillow to dream of lovers.
• (Loveland, Colorado) Send valentines here for signature postmark forwarding.

March 11

NAPPING DAY

• Take off and don’t tell the boss!

March 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

• Corn beef and cabbage?
• Irish Soda bread (but remember … Native Americans first used soda to leaven their bread without yeast!)
• Wear a shamrock. Dunk one in Guinness?
• Wear green (orange gets a pinch)!
• Find a parade.
• Pucker up and kiss someone Irish.
• Hunt leprechauns … they’re hiding everywhere!

March 21

SPRING SOLSTICE

• Stroll or hike.
• Make a rainbow candle.
• Practice deep breathing and mindfulness outside as weather warms.
• Plant indoor herb garden.
• Share the sunset.

March 26

MAKE UP YOUR OWN HOLIDAY DAY

• Create a holiday to celebrate a person, animal, object or whatever!

April 1

APRIL FOOLS

• Play clever jokes.

EASTER

• Easter eve, leave out carrots, not milk and cookies!
• Salute the sunrise.
• Brunch with bunny cake, hot cross buns or jelly beans to munch.
• Don a bonnet.
• Enjoy egg hunts, egg roll relays, egg dance (Easter eggs are a religious symbol of emerging new life).
• Pause for personal prayers and gratitude.

April 23

TAKE A CHANCE DAY

• Why not?

May 1

MAY DAY

• Deliver a surprise May basket.
• Get married? (I did!)

May 19

MAY RAY DAY

• Step outside. Soak up some sun.

 

Sandy Ferguson Fuller
Writer, Editor, Illustrator
alparts.com