I adore technology as much as the next gal. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for our digital age, my kids would have been in daycare 8-10 hours a day and perish the thought, I’d have to wear a suit and heels 5 days a week! Social media sites such as Youtube, Skype and Facebook allow me to share my kid’s performances with distant relatives, watch my grandchildren read a book or have a good laugh with friends.

With all of this new family technology however, we may have forgotten that we learned our family traditions, funny holiday stories and special memories through story telling. Whether it was passed though word of mouth or pen and paper, tales of family visits, travel woes, romantic gifts and tipsy relatives were passed from generation to generation.

Then each Christmas, after the presents have been opened or the big meal is served, you can read the journal aloud. The earlier you start this tradition the more treasured moments can be recalled, but it’s never to late to start. A blank journal and a pen is all that’s needed to begin this tradition, but you and the kids can have fun decorating the cover over a cup of egg nog too.This holiday season you can start a good old-fashioned tradition that will carry on for years to come by making your own Holiday Family Journal, adding special moments, stories and a photo or two for each year.

Start with a blank or inexpensive composition book and any of the following supplies:

• Heavy duty wrapping paper
• paper bag
• stickers
• Old Christmas cards
• glitter glue and sequins

After your Christmas festivities wind down, grab a pen and take a moment to write your first journal entry in the new journal. It doesn’t have to be super eloquent, a simple bulleted list or several sentences will be fine. Including the kids in this process will only add to the warm moments of the day!