Blended Family: Create Your Own Holiday Traditions

The Stepfamily Foundation states that more than 50 percent of the families in the United States are either re-coupled or remarried households. No one likes change, but with a blended family, change is inevitable. If you have a blended family, you know how difficult the holidays can be. The majority of households have their own holiday traditions, so when two families merge, challenges typically arise. While it is important to hold on to traditions that are already in place, your blended family should make new holiday traditions together.

Mix it Up

Dealing with contradicting family rituals and changing visitation schedules can add even more stress to the list of things you need to do during the holiday season. Whether it includes visiting the nearest candy store on Christmas Eve or watching the town’s Christmas tree come to life, each family’s rituals are special to them. Traditions that involve younger children (such as taking pictures with Santa Claus) should be continued until they grow out of them, as Families.com suggests. As a blended family, you may have to make concessions with one another. Perhaps, your family can visit the candy store one year, and watch Christmas tree lighting the next year.

Have Ham/Duck on Thanksgiving

Some younger children may find it difficult to have a typical Thanksgiving dinner without their other parent present. For this reason, consider changing things up and leaving routine behind. For example, prepare ham or duck instead of turkey at your Thanksgiving Feast, as PiedmontParent.com suggests. The memories of past Thanksgivings will linger just a little bit less, as new tastes and aromas will leave a new, lasting impression in children’s’ minds.

Drive Around and Enjoy the Christmas Decorations

Make a point of enjoying the holiday decorations throughout your town. Some neighborhoods have Christmas decorating contests or have particular nights that they invite visitors to drive around and enjoy the results of their hard work. Look in your local newspapers or on your town’s website to see if these options are available to you. If possible, consider taking a road trip to one of the best places to see Christmas decorations in the country this holiday season.

Visit These Places!

Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama

• In Bellingrath Gardens, you stroll through more than 3 million sparkling lights. This 65-acre  garden estate has more than 950 displays to enjoy. There are also nightly choral performances.  The Bellgrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights is open from November 25 through December 31  (closed on Christmas Day).

Clifton Mill’s Legendary Lights in Clifton, Ohio

• With almost 4 million lights covering the countryside, this scene is sure to take your breath  away. Stop in the Santa museum while you are here. The museum is just through the lighted covered  bridge. Clifton Mill is open from Nov. 26 through Jan. 1.

Make Cookies, Cupcakes and Candy

There are numerous holiday cookies, cupcake designs and candies that you can make at home. You can make everything from jam thumbprint cookies to red velvet cupcakes with a rich buttercream icing, to homemade candy canes. Once you complete all the goodies, put them in tins and have your stepchildren give them to the special people in their lives.

Design an Annual Family Card

For a unique spin on traditional holiday cards, create your own personalized ones. To create custom cards to share, Minted cards are an ideal option with a variety of professionally designed templates to choose from. Consider choosing a humorous photo theme for your cards. Have each family member make a photo suggestion and vote on a favorite. Suggestions may include a mock snowball fight, “Ugliest Christmas Sweaters Ever” or “Family Members Covered in Christmas Lights”.

Go See a Christmas Play Together

During the holiday season, there are various plays available in and around town. Why not make seeing a Christmas play together every year one of your traditions? The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas are all great choices.

About the Author:

Alexandra Turner

Alex is an interior designer and space planning expert who enjoys blogging about her profession.

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