Simple Seasonal Family Traditions

Post by Contributing Writer, Michele Augur of Frugal Granola

As a family, we cherish each new season. Our children love the familiar rhythm of knowing what to expect and savoring the many delights of each season.

We like to keep a handful of seasonal traditions that are easy to schedule into our busy lives, as well as easy on the budget. (There are also a few “special extras” when possible.) Now that our oldest child is almost five, she has quite a memory bank of these traditions, and doesn’t let us forget!

Also, whenever we’re expecting a new baby, we let our children know in “seasonal terms” when they can expect the newest arrival. (Our summer baby came “when it was hot and sunny, after the blueberries, with the zucchini and tomatoes, and before the corn.” Our spring baby is expected “near the end of the snow, when the spring rains come, the crocuses bloom, and the green buds appear.”)

Here are some of our family’s favorites:

Photo Credit: ollesvensson

Autumn

Right now, we are entering into the autumn season of fall leaves, garden harvests, and cooler nights (probably our favorite time of year; at least for my husband & I).

• Wild Blackberry and/or Huckleberry-Picking
• Hiking in the Woods (It’s nice to get out in the clear fresh air, even if it’s a bit rainy!)
• Baked Apple and/or Popcorn Nights
• Gathered Leaf Crafts (such as leaf rubbings, garlands, “bouquets” on the table, etc.) We just completed a fun Leaf Pounding project (printing onto muslin fabric on top of a board- instead of cardboard); even our 2-year-old got in on the hammering!
• A Fall Camping Trip (usually at the beach)- Campsites are usually less crowded in the fall, you can see the stars in the darker evenings, and it’s cozy by the campfire! (We’ve also gotten together with other family members and rented an affordable beach house together, since it’s the “off” season.)
• Attending an Apple & Pear Harvest Festival/Farmer’s Market and/or U-Pick Farms
• Treats of Hot Spiced Cider, Applesauce, or Creamy Pear Pie (a “mandatory” dish at our big family Thanksgiving dinner gatherings!)
• Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins on Thanksgiving morning
• Pumpkin Waffles for breakfasts (can also use some cooked squash)

Photo Credit: hello-julie

Winter

We have a few winter birthdays in our family, plus our wedding anniversary, in addition to the other holidays, so this season is very celebratory for us!

• Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas activities
• St. Nicholas Day
• Snow Angels and Snowmen
• Occasionally, attending a performance of The Nutcracker (a children’s theater or a matinee is often more affordable, and a more manageable showing time for little ones)
• Homemade Gingerbread Cake or Molasses Cookies
• Mint Hot Chocolate
• Listening to a Handel’s “Messiah” CD or DVD
• Participating in our church’s Children’s Christmas Play/Musical
  
• Seafood Christmas Dinner (often a simple Crab Quiche)
• A Christmas Tea Party and/or New Year’s Open House
• Decorating with “bouquets” of fresh holly & greenery (or homemade wreaths)
  
• A drive or walk to see Christmas lights and/or Caroling
• Homemade Gifts and/or Ornaments
• Handmade Valentines

Photo Credit: EvelynGiggles

Spring

• Starting Garden Seeds and early Spring plantings
• Occasionally we’ve been able to attend a community “Easter Sunrise Church Service”
• Spring bouquets of fragrant daffodils and crocuses
• Listening to the many little frogs at the creek
  
• Reading about St. Patrick
• Picking Nettles
  
• Meals of fresh, green asparagus, new leafy greens, or just-picked rhubarb
• Puddle Jumping and Walks with Umbrellas
• A Mother’s Day camping trip (usually at the beach); typically a less-crowded weekend before the summer crowds and hot weather arrive
• Board Game Nights
• Nature Walks/Hikes
• Making Butter from grass-fed raw milk (late spring/into summer)
• Star-Gazing on clear evenings

Photo Credit: JustyCinMD

Summer

• Bonfires and Barbecues
• Early Garden Harvests & Later Plantings
• Swimming/Wading in a shady creek or river
  
• A Backyard Camp-Out in the Tent
• Bouquets of Roses and Wildflowers
  
• Berry Smoothies or Blueberry Cake for Breakfasts (I know some of you live in climates where you actually get strawberries in the spring; but ours aren’t ready until at least June!)
• More Butter-Making from grass-fed raw milk
• Attending Farmer’s Markets
• Lavender Desserts (such as cookies or souffles)
• Making Lavender Sachets for adding to laundry or bed pillows
• Gathering Herbs & Preparing Remedies
• Ice Cream Sundae Parties
  
• Picnics on the lawn
• Jars of Sun Tea

Did you see some of your favorites on the list? What are your family’s traditions?