There is an abundance of traditions when it comes to the holidays. In fact, there’s an immersion of rituals, symbols, activities, and fun when we bring the grandkids into the delights that happen in that stretch between the end of November and the start of the new year.
It can be quite a ride when the grandkids are involved — and they are so very involved.
But don’t ask me for answers on how to manage all the activities and celebrations. I’m pretty sure there are TikToks and YouTubes galore that will school you on the 47 Merriest Holiday Snacks, or how to nurture a belief in Santa Claus, or what to do when your school gives homework over the holiday break, or how to create the ugliest sweater. You get the idea.
For the doting grandparent, it’s mostly about how to shower the little ones with gifts, treats, light shows, and music from Praetorius to Elvis. Not the sorts of things that require careful planning (that’s for parents to do).
But we love to bring the little ones into the worlds of wonder, whether it’s explaining Hanukkah and lighting the candles, enjoying an Advent calendar and telling the Christmas story, or exploring the community and culture represented by Kwanzaa.
And there’s so much to choose from. In the music sector alone, you can start with Jingle Bells (Dolly Parton’s styling), the Dreidel Song (by Julie Silver), Happy Kwanzaa (Teddy Pendergrass version), and go from there.
As for traditions, there are plenty to choose from (or you can start some, but be sure everyone will still enjoy the slide show of grandpa’s 1967 Christmas trip to Tristan Da Cunha). Probably best to consult some cultural advisers for meaningful activities that might catch on as an annual thing.
Such as? I’m glad you asked. The best one a grandparent can deploy is both good for the children to participate in while also being self-serving. In Korea, people perform a special bow to elders, which is a brilliant idea.
In Denmark, celebrants throw dishes against the doors of friends and loved ones, and the messier it is, the better your luck will be in the coming year. If you have an overly energetic grandchild (I’m told they exist), this could be a good tradition providing you observe all the safety regulations involved in letting children smash things.
Somewhat tamer practices that easily include children come from the Caribbean. Cubans have been known to jump from a chair at midnight, an allegory for leaping into the new year. Another regional practice is to throw a bucket of water out the door to banish evil spirits. Nobody gets hurt and no dishes are shattered.
In Thailand, they take the liquid expressions a little further with Songkran, where you pour water over Buddha statues and then sprinkle some over the heads of loved ones. All that chases away the misfortunes of the previous year and sets the stage for a coming year of prosperity. Thanks, Buddha!
When it comes to food, you and yours will enjoy a wonderful year if you chow down on collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. That particular menu is a very Southern thing today with origins in ancient Egypt and ingrained into American culture by enslaved Africans. And to make sure everyone gets their fruit, you can do as the Spaniards do: eat 12 grapes during the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve. As in 12 months of the year and 12 midnight.
If you need to challenge the youngsters, serve up some soba noodles as they do in Asian countries and tell the kids that a long noodle means a long life but they can’t let it break or get shortened, so chew with care and slurp with manners.
While it’s true that global new year celebrations are at different times throughout the year, you should feel free to take an interesting ritual and make it one that belongs to your family. Choose well, and you’ll be teaching lessons in history, family, music, holidays, and maybe the youngsters will even eat their greens. Happy holidays, and let’s eat!