Should we follow tradition?

Hi Hadrian, We celebrate birthdays to thank God for the blessing of another year. God likes celebrations and parties are external ways of showing our gratefulness and happiness. The same with Christmas and Halloween. We remember the birth of the Christ child more than two millenniums ago. We exchange gifts because we want to extend the graces we have received from the Almighty. With the Halloween, we remember the departed. The business people had capitalized on our emotions and traditions. The celebrations had become materialistic and grandiose. Do celebrate only with what you have. My family exchange gifts with perfumed soaps or scented candles, inspirational books or art craft tools. We give only what we can.

Tradition is best way to have a respectful and happy life ,when the tradition is related to fair judgment. This is one of the reasons ,our society have fail today when it comes to conduct . The modernism of the world has changed mind of a lot of people ,made then worse in behavior. Overall it is a good idea to follow traditions when ii is based on a fair judgment ,because it will allow us to have the best manner ,highly respectful,best conduct ,love because all humanity are one family. Fair tradition bring union and love

I think now we are living in the modern life. We have to change our life for suite with this life. Of course, we only change somethings we think these don't suite with this life. Somethings in tradition are good and benefit, we should keep it forever. For example, in my country, member of family will meet together in the dinner for relax, chat, talk everything he/she met in weekday. It help each one can more understand each others. I think some traditions are good for us, we should keep it and develop it. Others can be rejected.

I can kind of relate to your situation. My husband grew up not celebrating holidays, but I grew up always celebrating them. When we got together, he was against the whole idea of celebrating them and as a matter of fact, he actually made them miserable for me due to his negativity about them. Now, three years later, he is beginning to warm up to then a little more. I do agree that most of the time, people go way overboard, and there is too much commercialism with holidays, but I also think that kids should be able to experience the joy of them. You don't have to spend a lot of money and go all out, there is no sense in going in debt for it as far as I am concerned. As a matter of fact, if we can't afford it, we don't buy it and it is very rare that my kids get anything expensive for any holiday. They still enjoy it though. It is not so much about the gifts as it is about a family holiday spent together making memories.

I don't personally like the idea of holidays too much, they're too commercial. I agree with your points about saving up and then having to just repeat the next year. It seems crazy! But holidays have some good to them, too. It's true there are other ways to amuse your kids, but having that one time to look forward to is a lot of fun for them. If they can get one night where they get tons of free candy, it just makes them incredibly happy! The same goes with christmas when they get other free stuff. It happens various times throughout the year--just often enough to make it so that the kids really like the holidays and look forward to them.

Just a thought...I'm glad you're looking at this now, before you marry. You and your fiance' would need to agree on this now rather than it become an issue after you're married. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Would your fiance' be happy to tone down the celebrations? Or would you be ok with having something simple and small that your fiance' would also enjoy? Would he be happy if you didn't celebrate at all? I'm betting not. Would you be totally unhappy if you celebrated in some way? You'll have to do some soul searching and so will he, before you tie the knot. Best of luck to you both!

Yes, I strongly believe that doing things that would make you even happier is necessary for yourself. Enjoy those days of yours. Follow a tradition and you will see the good effect in your life. It is the way of thanking, celebrating! It is really a good feeling and you will feel contented if you are celebrating holidays. It is a fun of life. Give yourself a gift by celebrating it.

For me, I think I'd like to follow the tradition. But I agree with your opinion completely. I miss the traditional festivels when I was a child. People in that period had less money than today. But everyone was simple and sincere. When the traditional festivals, I didn't get many gifts, but I really enjoyed the feelings along with my whole family, my parents and relatives, friends, and neighbors. But now everything seems changing. People will celebrate these festivals and their birthdays wantonly. They spend a lot of money and receive expensive gifts. But the feelings are not good. And relationship between people are also changed. Now I still celebrate traditions in my own way and enjoy the feeling in real tradition, and also think about the real meanings of each festival and my birthday. No expensive gifts or large-scale scenes, but absolutely warm and meaningful!