If you are friends with me on Facebook, you’ve probably seen the birthday hat. I wore it for my birthday a couple weeks ago. It’s really tall and colorful — kind of like something The Cat in the Hat would wear, only this hat has Mickey Mouse on it.
Like many families, we have our own special traditions. Family traditions are one of the things that make working with families so wonderful. No two are alike. Each one is special. My family’s birthday hat came about because my mom saw a similar tradition she liked with a friend of hers, so when my brother and his wife went to Disney, they found the perfect hat to start our family’s tradition. They bought it and carried it around the park all day. And then they hand carried it on the plane so it wouldn’t get squished! My mom received it as a Christmas present in 2005, and we’ve been celebrating with it ever since.
When Bailey was nearing her 4th birthday, my dad asked her what she wanted. She said, “I want to eat ice cream and wear the funny hat!” 
Why are family traditions so important? Here are 5 quick reasons:
1. They create memories that last a lifetime.
2. They give family members a stronger sense of belonging.
3. They help impart the family’s values.
4. They give children/teens a sense of security.
5. They keep generations in contact and give them something in common.
Family traditions have even been linked to higher family strength and higher family satisfaction. What special family traditions do you have for celebrating the milestones of life?
Family traditions are an important part of a family’s non-financial legacy. Oftentimes, these non-financial aspects of legacy are overlooked when it comes to planning, and yet, these are the things we miss the most once someone is gone. Continue learning about this topic with the following posts:
10 Non-financial Planning Issues You Should Consider
[Infographic] 10 Non-financial Planning Issues You Should Consider
The Special Stuff List: An Effective Way to Pass Down Heirlooms and Other Personal Property
Post-It Notes Are Not Legally Binding