“Everything old is new again.”
~ Jonathan Swift
Holidays and special times occur all throughout the year. There are events, personal accomplishments, national and religious occasions—plus each month has its own unique vibe. For example, October is enlivened by Halloween haunts, November and December have a festive feel, valentines brighten up February, and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day punctuate May and June. There are countless possibilities for celebrations!
Familiar traditions and well-established customs are lovely. And, families can extend and supplement these times, and others, by discovering new and imaginative ways to enjoy and embrace the many opportunities and themes that the calendar presents. Here are several ideas and avenues to explore!
1. PHOTOGRAPHS – Take pictures of celebrations, but also find old photos, and create collages, posters, and scrapbooks. Listen to and record stories about what happened when the pictures were taken. Chat with others about places, people, and things that’ve peppered your past, and you remember fondly—or may not recall, or may find out about anew. Try creating a video to share before, during, or after a celebration.
2. BOOK BROWSING AND INFORMATION GATHERING – There’s interesting and surprising “how-to” stuff on almost anything you can imagine. Party planning, decorations, videography, costumes, calligraphy, and more. Your local library is a paradise for investigating creative and thematic holiday ideas, on your own or collaboratively.
3. ART, MUSIC, AND DANCE – Play with colors. Mix light and dark, unusual tones, and intensity across the spectrum. Experiment with interesting combinations, and then incorporate this approach into projects and celebratory activities. Add musical aspects as well, by playing instruments, composing, harmonizing melodies, and sharing favorite tunes. Dance because it’s fun—and great exercise, too!
4. GO RETRO – The word is short for retrospective, from the Latin retrogardi, meaning “move backward.” Find out about vintage vehicles, gadgets, clothing, or jewellery—things people used in celebrations in days-gone-by. Talk to people about their fondest family memories. Go way back to learn what a particular occasion or event was like in a previous era, or for earlier generations of celebrants. What did people do, wear, or eat? How can the spirit of the past be tapped for now or for the future?
5. REPURPOSE ODDS AND ENDS – Thomas Edison wrote, “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” Innovate! Combine, design, build, brainstorm, and mash-up stuff to turn ho-hum options into next-level celebratory ones. Revitalize about-to-be-tossed or broken things and make the most of them. Create original gifts like picture frames or coasters, or make unusual cards, festive décor, and display boards. Use your ingenuity and skillsets to get creative!
6. CULTIVATE INTERGENERATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS – Spend quality time with a person you trust, perhaps a senior family member, or a veteran. Listen to their stories about their experiences of specific holidays and events—and learn. How did they overcome struggles? How were they creative? What fun did they have? What advice might they share?
LAST WORDS
Each anniversary, birthday, holiday, or special occasion offers fresh opportunities to create memorable moments, fortify traditions, share pleasurable family experiences, and bond over celebratory possibilities. You may choose to approach these times in familiar tried-and-true fashion (such as with cake, pumpkins, festive lights, heart-shaped greetings, or loving messages), and/or in new ways (by pondering limitless options for creative expression). The key is to have fun, and to enjoy and extend meaningful times together—all year long!
