Do you have a preferred Easter candy? Marshmallow Peeps or perhaps jelly beans? Or maybe something else entirely?
Share why if you wish.
Category: Holiday
How Important Is Family?
Many of our holiday traditions are centered around family. But just how important are the people related to us, and how do they impact our lives?
If pop culture is to be believed, family is all important. Gathering together, exchanging gifts, eating a festive meal — that’s the image we have of the season. There are numerous songs, movies, and TV shows that make this point. Businesses even try and draw that comparison: “When you are here, you are family.”
But is that true? Of course, it is important to be supported and to be loved. That support and love, however, could just as easily come from friends or neighbors as from people who are genetically related.
In fact, who you are related to is somewhat random. Parents know that their kids can be wildly different from one another. One might be athletic, another studious and uncoordinated. One loud and outgoing, another quiet and shy. There is no guarantee that you will share traits or interests with someone who happens to be a sibling, parent, cousin, aunt or uncle.
It is difficult to deny, however, the role that our relatives play in our lives. Our parents provide guidance and support. Siblings are often drawn close from the shared formative experiences they have.
Is that simply a remnant of our evolutionary development? Humans evolved as hunter gatherers, where a tightly-woven clan probably increased the odds of survival. Of course, what was true for our ancestors may also be true for us.
As you maybe visiting some right now or in the past week or two, ask yourself: How important is family?
Related questions: Why do we feel the need to belong? How have your parents influenced you? What does the holiday mean to you? Is your pet part of your family?
Christmas Carols: O Holy Night Or Frosty The Snowman?
When it comes to Christmas carols, do you lean more toward the religious options, or the secular ones?
Share why if you wish.
Christmas Carols: O Holy Night Or Frosty The Snowman?
How Can We Spread Goodwill From The Holidays To The Rest Of The Year?
Around the holidays, there is an increased interest in kindness, love, and generosity. Why should this be limited to just part of the year?
There are many examples of the spirit of the holidays being a positive one.
Thanksgiving itself exists as a holiday to be thankful for what you have. In many families, a tradition of taking turns talking about things you are grateful for exists. The number of people volunteering at soup kitchens skyrockets.
Immediately after Thanksgiving are the commercial-centric Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, but that is followed up with Giving Tuesday, a day specifically designated for charitable giving.
And, of course, the Christmas holiday itself is centered around giving. Some people leave a little something for their postal carrier. Parents will give gift cards to their children’s teachers, tutors, or coaches. Hair stylists, house cleaners, neighbors, friends, family members might all be on the receiving end of gifts of one kind or another.
More cookies are baked in December than at any other time of year. And most of those are given away, or taken to parties.
This is all wonderful, of course. It is part of the reason why so many people find this time of year magical. However, wouldn’t it be nice if people behaved this way all year long?
All this gift giving is expensive, and most people can’t afford to maintain that for 12 months. In fact, some can’t even afford to do it for one month, and go into debt.
But the spirit of giving thanks, showing your affection, and communicating with loved ones could happen all year long. How can we make that happen in our own lives?
Related questions: Why do we give gifts? What does it mean to be thankful? How can we maintain wonder?
Holiday Parties: Enjoyable Or Obligation?
When it comes to attending a holiday party, is it something you look forward to, or would you rather stay home?
Share why if you wish.
Holiday Parties: Enjoyable Or Obligation?