Many families have rituals that strengthen unique family bonds and they can be as simple as the rituals my family has.. Friday night movie night is one example. Traditions encourage connection between family members and promote a sense of identity and belonging. Because traditions have meaning that is unique to each family in a fun and special setting, they create feelings of warmth and closeness. Traditions also promote a feeling of safety and security within the family by providing a predictable family experience. Family members have something to look forward to with traditions which gives them a sense of assurance in this ever changing and chaotic world we live in. Traditions can be either created by you or handed down from another generation.

So, all in all, make this year's Easter even more memorable by creating family traditions that will not just keep going year after year but help cement family bonds and create fun with your loved ones! Easter this year can mean even more than chocolate bunnies and just another ham dinner. Here are some Easter traditions you can get going this year with your loved ones:

1. Easter scavenger hunt that begins with a letter from the Easter bunny and includes clues for finding special Easter surprises maybe even Easter funnies inside plastic Easter eggs.

2. Family members get make a special dish to share with each other. My step son makes his special mashed potatoes every year which we call, "Rocke's Super Cheesy Mashed Potatoes."

3. Die colorful Easter Eggs together

4. Make Easter crafts together

5. Plant special flowers together to represent new life and that Spring has "Sprung"

6. Select a charity that helps those in need. Decorate a box with an open slot on top and display it where everyone at home will remember to contribute. On Easter empty the box, count the change, and send a check out in the mail to the choice of charity.

7. Everyone wear new Easter outfits on Easter Sunday

8. Place one dozen plastic Easter eggs in a egg carton and fill each Easter eggs with special activities to do together 12 days before Easter. These can be simple activities like kissing each other and saying I love you because...

9. Pray as a family before eating Easter dinner together

10. Take family Easter pictures together that you can bring out each year as an Easter decoration

"Family values are a little like family vacations -— subject to changeable weather and remembered more fondly with the passage of time. Though it rained all week at the beach, it’s often the momentary rainbows that we remember."

Leslie Dreyfous, New York Times, Oct 25, 1992