A New Fun Family Tradition to Start This Year

Sponsored by The Star In Theaters November 17

Traditions are important to families. Not only do they give us something to look forward to every year, but they also help us create lasting memories. Traditions are a way for families to connect and strengthen the family bond as they remember the past while creating new memories for the future.

Christmas is a time of year when we tend to focus more on family traditions. I can’t help but get nostalgic each year as I remember the hunts through the woods for a Christmas tree, the drives around town looking at Christmas lights, the trips to Granny’s house on Christmas Eve, the annual nativity at church and sipping hot apple cider after the annual Christmas parade each year. These precious memories of times spent with family can bring tears to my eyes and a smile to my face at the same time. I promise you I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in this world!

While many of us remember our childhood family traditions, over time it can become more difficult to keep up with them as families change. We grow up, marry, move away and one day realize the old days are gone. We’re the adults now and it’s time to establish new family traditions.

Do you want to start a new family tradition this Christmas? Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• Watch The Star Movie with your family at your local movie theater.
• Read the story of the first nativity together as a family.
• Listen to Christmas carols while decorating the house for Christmas.
• Attend a live nativity scene together.
• Throw a birthday party for Jesus.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. You can even tie them all together if you’re feeling adventurous. For example, after watching The Star Movie you can read the story of the first nativity together and discuss your favorite characters from the movie. Or you can throw a birthday party for Jesus and have each family member dress up as their favorite character from the movie. Get creative and have fun!

Remember that family traditions don’t have to be complicated. What truly matters is that you are spending time together creating memories. Once I was older, my parents and I started going to the movies together each Christmas. It gave us something special to look forward to and I can still remember some of the movies we watched together. The smell of popcorn, the packed theater, the warm seat after a long wait in the cold outside…these are good Christmas time memories for me. So much so the hubby and I have decided to start carrying on this tradition for our family, too!

So, are you up for a family outing to the local movie theater this year? Let me share with you the movie we will be watching this year.

I can’t tell you how excited I was to find out about The Star Movie.  I love that it tells the story of the first Christmas, which is why we celebrate the holiday after all. I enjoy a good inspirational movie at Christmas, don’t you?

In The Star you’ll meet a small, brave donkey named Bo, who goes on the adventure of his dreams. He teams up with a group of animals including a lost sheep, an aspired dove and a few wisecracking camels to follow the Star and become a hero in the first Christmas. Featuring the voices of Kelly Clarkson and Tyler Perry with soundtrack artist Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin, this film is loaded with all-star voice talent.

The Star Movie will be in theaters this Friday, November 17^th, with some early showing on November 16^th. You can find out more about the movie, buy tickets and even print out coloring pages with the movie characters here.

Tell me, do you go to the movies at Christmas? What is your favorite family tradition for Christmas? Let me know by leaving a comment below!