Making Memories is an Important Part of Holiday Preparation

(Vienna, VA) --Who doesn’t have a favorite childhood holiday memory?

Whether it’s discovering jolly old St. Nick left you a stocking filled with candy, decorating holiday-shaped sugar cookies or lighting the menorah for the first time, sharing treasured family traditions – or creating new ones – is an important part of the fabric of family life.

“This is the time of year that lends itself to gathering our family and friends to make special memories that will last a lifetime,” says Katherine Klehr, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who practices in suburban Chicago. “Stressful situations such as what the country has been through in the past year create a stronger need to be together as a family, close to home – in loving and nurturing relationships.”

When it comes to celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, creating new traditions and fun memories does not have to be expensive. According to the National Confectioners Association, candy has been a popular “guest” at holiday celebrations for centuries, and lends itself to many memory-making activities.

“Sweets have long been associated with the holiday season,” explains Larry Graham, president of the National Confectioners Association and Chocolate Manufacturers Association. “Many sweet traditions were brought to America by the Europeans who settled here, including filling stockings with goodies, hanging candy canes on the Christmas tree and giving gold, foil-wrapped chocolate coins to children during Hanukkah.”

Many of these favorite traditions continue today. In a National Confectioners Association survey, 81 percent of parents said they received holiday stockings filled with goodies when they were kids. Now, 85 percent of the parents said this is a tradition they are continuing with their children.

Here are some fun twists to family activities that are bound to create warm memories and perhaps start new tradition.

• Make a gingerbread family – different size gingerbread cookie cutters are readily available and inexpensive. Decorate the cookies with icing and candies to create a special centerpiece.
• Create candy ornaments from red and white peppermints or other hard candies. Arrange six candies in a circle with edges touching on a piece of aluminum foil. Place in a conventional oven set at 350 degrees just until they stick together – 1-3 minutes. Cool, then tie a ribbon to the top to hang on the tree.
• Create holiday table favors with bathroom tissue cardboard rolls. Wrap the roll in holiday-themed paper that extends 3-4 inches beyond the roll. Twist and tie off one end with ribbon. Fill from the open end with wrapped candies, small toys and even a special holiday note for the recipient. Tie off the end with ribbon.

Making memories can be as simple or elaborate as a family desires. But one thing is certain – families should celebrate and have fun because it strengthens feelings of togetherness. “We should always take the time to celebrate special holidays and family events because these celebrations help keep us strong as families and as a nation,” Klehr said.