The Heart of the Holidays: Why Tradition Matters in Childhood

By Katie Cimino for Together We Bloom: Community Learning

The holiday season carries a certain kind of magic — not because of the decorations or the gifts, but because of the traditions that anchor us. Traditions are more than rituals; they are emotional touchpoints, threads that weave comfort, belonging, and identity into childhood and carry those feelings into adulthood.

In a world that moves at a pace faster than most of us would like, traditions slow us down.They remind us: this is who we are, this is where we belong, this is what we share.

✨ Why Traditions Are Developmentally Important

From a developmental standpoint, traditions support children in powerful ways:

1. They create predictability and safety

Children thrive when they know what to expect.Rituals — whether lighting a candle, baking a certain cookie, or making homemade gifts — provide a sense of stability and groundedness.Traditions reassure children: “I know what happens here. I belong here.”

2. They strengthen emotional bonds

Shared moments are what build attachment.When families craft, bake, wrap, decorate, or sit together year after year, these repeated experiences deepen emotional connection through simple acts of togetherness.

3. They nurture creativity and confidence

Holiday traditions centered on making things — ornaments, cookies, snowflakes, handmade gifts — spark a child’s imagination and allow them to see themselves as creators.This builds both fine-motor development and the more subtle skill of believing “I can make something that matters.”

4. They support cultural and family identity

Traditions give children a story.They thread generations together, giving a sense of heritage and continuity.Children feel part of something larger than themselves.

5. They foster gratitude, generosity, and emotional maturity

Traditions that involve giving — especially handmade giving — help children understand the joy of offering something from the heart.They learn that gifts are not transactions, but expressions of care.

My Family’s Tradition of Homemade Holidays

In my own family, tradition wasn’t about perfection — it was about participation.

Every year, my mom gathered the four of us kids around the table and invited us to create handmade gifts for our relatives, neighbors, and friends.It was always a little chaotic, always a little messy, and always unforgettable.

Each year, every child got to:

• explore different art forms

• choose a “signature craft”

• and then mass-create our homemade treasures

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One year it might be popsicle stick trees. Another year it might be bookmarks, ornaments, baked goods, or painted trinkets. Sometimes it was whatever we could afford as a family — which wasn't always much. But it never mattered.

The tradition wasn’t about the gift. It was about the making of it.

It taught us:

• to work together

• to try new creative skills

• to give something made with heart

• and to look forward to this special ritual every holiday season

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That tradition shaped me. It shaped how I see childhood, creativity, community, and the meaning of the holidays themselves.

Carrying the Tradition Forward — Not Just to My Students, but to All Children

Today, that tradition is not only alive — it’s blooming.

Through Together We Bloom and our Homemade Holidays event, I’ve had the privilege of passing this tradition on to the children in my life, my community, and beyond.

At Homemade Holidays, we get to recreate the heart of those early memories:

• crafting together

• exploring simple, nostalgic materials

• making homemade décor and gifts

• sharing creativity with neighbors

• creating a space where families can slow down

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And most importantly:every child gets to feel the magic of making something with their own hands.

It is one of the greatest joys of my life to watch kids experience the same sense of wonder, accomplishment, and connection that I did — and to watch parents rediscover that joy, too.

The Power of “Homemade”

In a culture that often pushes consumption and perfection, homemade traditions invite us back to:

• slowness

• intention

• creativity

• warmth

• meaning

They remind us that the best memories are simple.The best gifts come from our hands.And the best traditions come from our hearts.

This Holiday Season, Consider Starting a Simple Tradition

It doesn’t have to be elaborate.It doesn’t have to be expensive.It just has to be yours.

A craft.

A recipe.

A special walk under the lights.

A moment of gratitude.

A homemade gift.

A gathering with neighbors.

These rituals become the stories our children carry through their lives. Stories of belonging. Stories of joy. Stories of being loved.