As I ring in a New Year, my first thoughts are usually related to making a new start, tackling a project or making a resolution that is usually thrown to the wayside within a few months. This year I am keenly aware of the passage of time and my goals are more simple and closer to home and heart. My children are growing at warp speed, and I want to appreciate the traditions that bring my family together - the moments that will be woven into their memories.
Cooking plays a big role in our household, and I’ve found that the kids already love and appreciate traditions related to food. Several of our favorite rituals have started in the kitchen. Recently, our family was the “family of the week” in my son’s junior kindergarten class. We were asked to bring in several special items that represent our family, and to present our family’s traditions to the classroom. When we brainstormed with our 5-year old son about the project, his first thought was to bring a rack lamb for the class – my husband’s favorite meal, and a dish I make for his birthday and special occasions throughout the year. We told him that the rest of his class probably wouldn’t enjoy sampling lamb, so he then recommended a baked Dutch apple pancake I make on the weekends - something I loved as a child. We decided that it was more likely than lamb to be well received by a class of 4 and 5 year olds, so I brought in the pancake. I love it that he feels such a strong connection to the meals that we make and share together.
A few years ago I surprised the kids with a “fireside picnic” dinner in our living room by simply rolling out our picnic blanket and setting our dinner plates out on the floor in front of the fireplace. They were completely dazzled by the simple act of mixing things up and shifting gears. Our little picnic has now become a tradition that gives us a break from the monotony of our weekly dinners.
One of the traditions that extends beyond our home, is our Sunday night family dinner at a local restaurant. We have been going to the same spot for several years, we now know the staff and are welcomed like family. After a week of cooking and a busy weekend, we all look forward to sitting down together in our cozy spot, where everyone knows exactly what we’ll order and no one needs to clean up.
Traditions make us feel rooted to the past, bring a sense of security and comfort and promote a togetherness that helps to define family life. My hope is that my children will remember these traditions warmly and that these little moments that bring us together will live on when they start their own families.
Lamb recipe – by Ina Garten
www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes
Dutch Apple Pancake recipe by Pamela Salzman
pamelasalzman.com/dutch-baby-pancake-recipe/
For more ideas on creating new family traditions visit
parents.com/holiday/start-your-own-family-traditions/
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Jessica Dunne
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Family Traditions
By Jessica Dunne