Some family traditions

* "When a child does something noteworthy (gets a good grade on a paper, scores in a ball game, wins a spelling bee), the next day cut out a sandwich in the shape of a star to put in his or her lunch box. Add a note that says, `You are our star!'"

* "Sometimes, a birthday falls at the wrong time of the year, a time when it is hard to celebrate because of bad weather or being too near Christmas or New Year's. If someone in your family had a December birthday and didn't like it, give them a half-birthday party in June -- exactly half a year later. Serve half a cake or a cake that is half-vanilla, half-chocolate. Serve half sandwiches, half a glass of punch, half a bowl of nuts. Gag gifts could be one glove or one sock (half a pair), half a box of candy, and you could sing half a song."

* "Try to take a family photo on every anniversary. Also make it a family ritual to look through your wedding album on every anniversary, and talk about all the things that have happened since `way back when.'"

* "During the summer, when school is out and days sometimes drag on, why not occasionally mail a note or a postcard to each child? Children love to get mail and it can be a boredom-buster summer surprise."

(11-27-97) [[In-content Ad]]