Happy New Year!

As we pass into a New Year and pack away the Christmas trees, lights and baubles, I’ve been thinking about the traditions and rituals that play out in every household during this time. When I was studying sociology I was interested in what makes societies cohesive and working well, and what destroys a sense of community and wellbeing. One answer is the shared traditions and rituals, or lack thereof, that a society has.

Christmas and New Year are great examples of this; the shared traditions of carol concerts we may attend, Christmas Eve or Day church services, turkeys and specific food traditions. New Year’s eve parties, with their fireworks and midnight kisses  - it all feels so familiar and brings us together as friends, family and a wider society. As author Frank Sonnenberg says,

‘Tradition contributes to a sense of comfort and belonging, bringing people together and enabling people to reconnect with friends.’

In our own family, I took a moment to reflect on the elements that have become so woven into the fabric of our gatherings, that to remove them would leave an unravelling hole - the specific foods that are only made for Christmas or New Year, the rhythm of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the way gifts are given and received… and how these rituals have provided a sense of belonging and comfort to us all. This is evident from the cries of disbelief when anyone suggests changing any element of the childhood traditions!

Talking to friends about their traditions, they paint pictures of gatherings which differ from my own, but have the similarities of a shared past, patterns and rhythm that bring a smile in reminiscence, and an excitement for the next year when it will all be done again. These emotions and the steadfast belief that next year will be the same, is what creates a sense of stability and comfort - something we all need!

Journalist Deborah Norville reflects that, ‘There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.’

Obviously life does change, and with it, the traditions we have held dear. But this in itself can usher in new traditions and rituals which define a new and different stage of life. A growing and expanding family welcoming the traditions of others, and weaving them into their family story makes for a brighter tapestry. New friends and cultures add a vibrancy to our own rituals and provide a place to share the memories of our childhoods.

This year, I am looking forward to the traditions and rituals which punctuate the year; the changing of the seasons, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and enjoy the connection with friends, family and our wider society that they bring. It’s going to be a good year!