Date: Thursday, December 09, 2010, 12:28 pm
By: Cherie S. White, Blackamericaweb.com
Ahhh, the holidays. For many, Christmas equals a full calendar of holiday parties, endless shopping and running from store to store trying desperately to get that one last gift. The hustle and bustle of the season can leave anyone exhausted, broke and in need of a vacation. Despite the happiness that those perfect shoes or newest flat screen television can bring, we sometimes lose sight of what this time of year is all about: gifts.
Not gifts from the mall, but gifts that we sometimes take for granted. As a reminder of those gifts that can get buried amongst the piles of torn Christmas wrapping paper, we’d like to feature the 12 “Gifts” of the Holiday Season. This is our list of treasures that we hope will inspire you to slow down and think about those things that you hold dear to your heart.
1. The Importance of Family
The Black family is very dynamic. Given our history, we’ve endured much over the centuries. During slavery, families were torn apart, mothers separated from children and husbands separated from wives. High incarceration rates of our men and women leaves grandparents with the great responsibility of rearing a second generation of children. Sometimes family disagreements can be detrimental to not only those involved, but for future generations, leaving young people wondering why they don’t know certain relatives.
But despite our trials, the Black family still remains an important part of each of our lives. The need for connection to our kin is essential for our forward movement both as individuals and as a group. So during this time of year, sweep the dysfunction under the rug and connect with those relatives who we only see once a year or those that we don’t talk to enough. And for those of us with no family, connect with close friends that support us throughout the year.
Start Your Own Holiday Tradition
Don’t have a holiday tradition? Start one this year. Here is a list of traditions that you can implement in your family this season. They are fun, easy and can create incredible memories for years to come.
• Christmas Brunch/Breakfast: Nothing brings a Black family together like food. Get creative and create a theme. Have a potluck and have everyone bring their specialty. Get together at midnight for a light breakfast complete with music and mimosas.
• Just one gift: This is a very popular tradition. Many families open one gift on Christmas Eve as a teaser to the big day. It’s fun for both adults and kids
• Start a card/dominoes tournament: This is next to breathing in the Black family. Start a tournament and continue throughout the years. Partner with that favorite play cousin, uncle or brother for a night of fun and laughs. But remember to keep the competition friendly. Keep the dysfunction at bay.
• Light a Remembrance Candle: This is also done during Kwanzaa but can be done to honor our lost loved ones at Christmas. Incorporate a photo album and have family members speak about their memories of that person as way to teach the young ones about their relatives.
