Family traditions connect us to past and future generations. They
provide
meaning and connection, as well as a sense of ritual and comfort. And
they
can create - and help to preserve - some of life's most moving moments.
Easter traditions can help to usher in a season of love, rejuvenation,
and
abundance. Here are seven ideas for sharing the sweetness of this
special
season:
- Start a kindness wreath for your doorway. For the week of Easter,
give
each family member 10 or more ribbons in bright spring colors. Each
time a
family
member reaches out to someone in kindness during the week, they simply
tie
another
ribbon onto the wreath.
- Ask your children to make a special drawing or a collage that depicts
what
Easter means for them. After you display them during the Easter season,
scan
them or take a photo and record the artwork in a special journal or
album
for a treasured Easter keepsake.
- Create a Garden Journal. Cover a composition book with spring
patterned
papers or photos/clippings of your favorite flowers. Document the
process
of creating your family garden this year. Make sure to include photos
of
your family members digging in the dirt. Record their favorite flowers
and their favorite part of working in the garden...and, of course,
lots of journaling and flower pressings.
- Fill an Easter basket with cheerful messages, handmade cards, or
simple
gifts. Then leave the basket anonymously on a friend's doorstep.
- If you have young children, video- or audio-tape them singing a fun
seasonal song. Tapes of "Here comes peter cottontail" and "Little Bunny
Foo Foo" can make treasured mementos. Share the tapes with distant
family
and friends.
- When it's time for your Easter brunch or Easter dinner, give each
guest
a 6x6 sheet of cardstock and ask them to handwrite a couple of special
messages for the holiday...perhaps ways they are feeling renewed or
grateful
in their lives. Snap a photo of each guest and create a quick and
simple
6x6 mini-album as a keepsake featuring one page for each guest (with
their
photo and contribution.)
- Make some handmade Easter greeting cards to send to family and
friends.
Or renew friendships by hostessing a card-making party where each guest
makes 5 to 10 friendship cards. Make a point to send out five cards
this
spring to
people with whom you would like to rejuvenate a relationship.
This holiday, may you embrace and celebrate the beauty that comes into
our
lives through our family and friends. (And enjoy lots of chocolate!)
