As the weather begins to cool, people think about autumn traditions from their childhood and fall activities that they still enjoy in their communities. Soon you will see men raking leaves into huge piles and kids jumping into the pile while their fathers aren’t looking. At a local craft fair, you’ll see women doing their best to shop while a child whines, “Mama, I want one of those.” These type of autumn scenes have played out in yards and at events for a hundred or more years. Some traditions are old and some are new, or are they? Here are a few ways some family traditions have changed over the years.
Autumn traditions are as popular today as in days gone by. Although the traditions may be different now, the goals are the same – survival. At this time of year, men begin thinking about hunting and football. It seems the cooler weather brings out the men’s primal need to track and protect. Whether they are tracking food for their family, as in the past, or trying to protect their quarterback on the football field, it’s all the same basic tradition.
Women have their own traditions. Fall brings out a woman’s natural storing and nesting tendencies. In the past, sewing and canning were common autumn activities. This was how women helped to prepare their families for long bitter winters. Now, women accomplish the same goal by buying extra blankets and stocking up pantries or freezers. These traditions, whether new or old, are passed down from generation to generation, just like a great family recipe.
Food seems to be a common thread among fall traditions. Whether it’s the barbecue prepared at a tailgate party, fun food found at a local fair, or the more formal fare shared at a harvest ball, food plays a major part in the traditions we enjoy. We would be hard pressed to think of autumn without remembering our favorite traditional foods.
Traditions are important whether they are based around autumn or another event. Everyone needs family traditions. Not only do they help us form close bonds now, they also remind us of our loved ones, in later years. Consider adding a new or old family tradition to this year’s autumn schedule of events.
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