This time of year is rich with traditions for our family.  Little things that began as something fun to do have grown into involved events that require pre-planning and preparation.  This afternoon my daughter and I will sit down and plan out the McClain 2012 Gingerbread House.  We’ll test out a new recipe this year and even incorporate some new materials to increase our landscaping around our little construction project.  We’ll create a shopping list, decide on what goodies we want to munch on as we build and even choose our dinner menu for the evening.  It’s not just an activity… it’s an event.

Traditions are fun in our home.  They build memories to be relived for years to come.  These will be the “Remember when…” moments of the future.  So I look at them with excitement.  I treat them as precious.

Are they perfect?  Rarely.  But the unexpected hiccups only flavor the experiences from one year to the next.  Look for opportunities to celebrate old traditions and create new ones for your family.