Nationwide, about 93 million people volunteer each year to improve their communities and country. Bettye Wadsworth, Extension leadership development specialist, said the work of volunteers is diverse, but the reward of internal satisfaction is the same for everyone. Achievement, even on a small scale, leads to a feeling of success and is a major factor in sustaining volunteer efforts. Carskadon said family traditions are very important as they are tangible expressions of love and security. Involve children in creating and keeping traditions that are unique to the family.
Traditions can become part of holiday rituals, or can be totally separate.
Such a tradition can be as simple as one family member each week getting to choose where the family eats out one night or it can be a particular activity the family does together. Traditions are often passed from parents to children, and from grandparents to grandchildren. Their longevity is due to the satisfaction they give that one generation wants to pass on to another. Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said good traditions can be simple, nonstressful and adaptable. Some holiday traditions are not as easy to keep when children get older as they used to be.