I’ve been thinking a lot this week about family traditions. As I grow older and watch my siblings have children and teach them the things we learned while growing up, it brings to mind all of the fun things we used to do as kids, and how fun it is to teach the next generation the same traditions.
We used to have ‘special plates’ growing up, which I’m pretty sure is something my mom just made up, but it was great. There were two plates in the cupboard that were vastly different from the rest which were to be placed at the seat of someone who had a special day, or maybe a really difficult day. Whoever set the table that night for dinner would inevitably choose who got the special plate that day, if anyone deserved it at all.
I went to one of those ‘paint your own pottery places’ and made one from my sister when she got married almost six years ago, and when I got married just two years ago, she made me one. With just Matt and I right now, and my sister with very young children, the special plates don’t get too much use, but I’m sure one day they’ll be making their way onto our dinner tables.
I love these plates in the photo because they’re different from the norm – whether that be because they’re very personal as the silhouette plate or just uniquely different.
Do you think this is a tradition you could see yourself starting? Do you have any special traditions that you’re passing down?
Have a THOUGHTFUL Tuesday out there!
Plates from top left: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
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this is a really sweet idea
xx
On Dec 1, my family draws names and then we buy, make, or give that person a $5.00 dollar gift to open on christmas eve. We started this when the kids were young so they had one gift to open christmas eve. This christmas will be different, because this year DJ our oldest will be deployed over seas so whoever has him will have to ship early. :0)
Years ago when my grandfather died, the whole extended family was cleaning his house and came across the absolute ugliest thing: a pea-green soup toureen in the shape of a fish. I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but somehow it became our family heirloom/Christmas gag gift…in the 18 years since Grandpa’s death, we keep trying to outdo each other with the most creative way to pass on the dreaded fish (who was dubbed “Oscar”). It’s become a rite of passage – when grandchildren get their first apartment, Oscar usually goes with them for their first year. It’s the most wonderful, unplanned tradition that has kept our family connected though we only see each other once a year. And I have to admit, I kind of miss Oscar since I gave him to my cousin last December!
Love this! I had one growing up but it was more like “this is my special plate and no one else can use it…” What a brat I was!! I like this idea better
I just love this beautiful family tradition. I have a few family traditions on my side and so does my husband from his side that we’ve shared with each other…But, I just love creating new traditions for our little family as well.
Neda,
I agree with that! Starting our own traditions is so special too!
LOVE this! YOUR mom was so creative, what a great idea! and these are great plates too… Have a great week!
Cheers!
Avery
What a lovely blog!
Thank you so much for the feature! It’s never to late to start a new tradition. Life is so hectic these days. It’s the little things that matter most.
xo, Aedriel
I love this tradition! We had a special plate growing up, and my brother and I used to argue over who got to use it. The plate was actually just a tray that had sections for food — like what you’d find in a school cafeteria. No idea why we were so obsessed with it. Too funny. I need to ask my mom if she still has it!
Totally stealing this idea. I think it’s lovely. We don’t have a family of our own yet, but I think about a time when we will and about us all sitting down at the table together for a meal. I didn’t have the chance to do that much growing up. So even just gathering ’round the table at the end of the day is a new to me “tradition” that I hope to pass down. No computers. No TV. No gadgets. Just conversation.
Oh Erin, this is the cutest idea! I love it. I am going to start this tradition in my home. My daughter would get a kick out of it. Thank you. xoxo
I love this! A great idea for the someday fam….and maybe one we’ll start using with our extended family now! ox
I love this idea! My mom was always doing fun little things with my brother and I, which is something I am excited to do with my kids someday!!
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I absolutely love this tradition. We have a special cake stand that we use only for birthday cakes in our home and I’ve purchased other small decorative plates to use to make my girls feel special when I’m serving them a special treat or just because.