Tradition vs Varied experiences

Anonymous
I have 3 kids in elementary school. We rotate Thanksgiving and Christmas each year between my house and my MIL's. Next year, for example, we will be at our house for T-giving and at her house for Xmas.

The idea of traveling over Thanksgiving on a family trip vs. staying home and cooking the big meal is pretty appealing to me. While I enjoy the food, what I really enjoy is just being with the family. We like to travel and try out new things to do, and Thanksgiving week seems like a great opporutnity to do it - everyone is out of school/work, it is low season in many locations, and prices are lower.

I wonder about sacrificing family traditions in order to do this. When I grew up, we had the same meal for all Thanksgiving/Xmas events, it was the same order of events each holiday, with the same people at the same house (mine). I have fond memories of all of that, and I loved it as a child. Am I taking something away from my children by thinking about doing something different?

On one hand, I think warm feelings about holidays comes from being together, laughing, making memories, and telling stories - something we can do while visiting new places together. We will also have the traditional Thanksgiving experience every other year at my MIL's. On the other hand, there is something so lovely about set traditions/roles/expectations of what a holiday means in a family's own home.

Anonymous
Either way, your children will have their own fond memories of the holidays. I know mine appreciate togetherness, whether it's just us, or all of our extended family. What does your spouse say?
Anonymous
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times to fly or be on the road.

I would consider a road trip for a different long weekend.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times to fly or be on the road.

I would consider a road trip for a different long weekend.


And one of the most expensive! Airfare for that weekend can be quite high.
Anonymous
No harm in changing it up one year!!
Anonymous
You're completely overthinking things. It doesn't matter.
Anonymous
The tradition then becomes that you go on an adventure *as a family* over Thanksgiving.

Traditions aren’t just the things that become old and stagnant... they are the things that bring you together. It’s not that you make turkey, or dress the table all in red. It’s the knowing that when the holiday comes, there is something special in store.
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