Every family has its own quirky traditions — those small, sweet rituals that make you feel connected and loved. Ours might look simple from the outside, but they’re the moments that have shaped who we are.
Growing up, my mom and her three sisters had a race to spot the first water tower whenever they were driving somewhere together in Wisconsin. Whoever saw it first had to spell “w-a-t-e-r t-o-w-e-r” and whistle three times. When it came time to say goodbye, they’d play last touch—pretending to get teary-eyed before tagging a sister and running away. The game would start again the next time at least two of them were together.
When I was a kid, we had our own version of Santa Lucia. In our family, the oldest unmarried daughter had to make breakfast for everyone on Christmas morning. With five girl cousins, that tradition lasted a while — and since I was the last to get married, it was my job for a long time. (Don’t tell anyone, but I secretly loved it.)
We also have a little family code when we hold hands. Two gentle squeezes mean “love me?” and the person on the end squeezes back hard to say “Yes.” Then comes the question — “How much?” — answered with one more big squeeze to show just how much love there really is.
And every Thanksgiving, without fail, we watch Elf while snacking on homemade Chex Party Mix — with double the butter and extra seasoning, of course.
These little, silly, wonderful traditions may seem small, but they’re the glue that holds a family together. They’re how we stay connected, no matter where life takes us.
What are your family traditions? Share yours below or tag us on Instagram @SwedeLoveShop — we’d love to hear them!