Unwrapping the Past: How to Encourage Older Relatives to Share Their Stories and Traditions

The holidays are all about togetherness, and what better way to connect than by diving into the stories and traditions that make your family special? Older relatives often hold the key to memories that can make us laugh, cry, or appreciate our roots in a whole new way. So, grab some cocoa, pull up a chair, and let’s chat about some fun and meaningful ways to coax those priceless tales and traditions from the past.

1. Pick a Story Out of The Santa Hat

Turn your holiday dinner into a magical trip down memory lane. Invite your older relatives to share their favorite holiday stories—whether it's the best gift they ever received or the year the dog ate the Christmas turkey.

Get everyone involved by writing a few playful prompts, like:

• “What’s the strangest gift you’ve ever given or received?”
• “Was there a holiday when everything went hilariously wrong?”

Pass around the prompts in a hat and watch the stories pour out. Laughter is guaranteed!

2. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane (Literally!)

Break out the old photo albums, scrapbooks, or even that dusty box of Polaroids hiding in the closet. Photos are like time machines—they spark memories of places, people, and moments we might not think of otherwise.

Joyful Twist:

Turn it into a game! Let kids or younger family members point to a photo and say, “What’s going on here?” “Who is that?” Chances are, you’ll get a story that starts with, “Well, let me tell you…”

3. Showcase Holiday Heirlooms

Every family has those unique holiday treasures—a fragile ornament, a quirky figurine, or a well-loved tablecloth. Ask your older relatives to bring their favorite holiday keepsake to a family gathering and share its story.

Fun Tip:

Make it interactive! Let everyone guess how old the heirloom is or why it’s important. You’ll be amazed at the hidden history behind those decorations.

4. Map Out a "Tradition Timeline"

Ever wonder how your family traditions came to be? Ask your relatives to trace the origins of those rituals, like why you always eat lasagna on Christmas Eve or sing that one funny song before opening gifts.

5. Spark Laughter with Holiday Quizzes

For a bit of lighthearted fun, turn story-sharing into a game. Create a quiz with questions like:

• “Who was most likely to sneak cookies before dinner?”
• “Which family member used to give the silliest gifts?”

Let your relatives fill in the blanks, and you’ll end up with both laughs and unexpected stories.

Why It’s All Worth It

Encouraging your older relatives to share their stories and traditions isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about keeping those stories alive for later generations. Their memories and wisdom are gifts in themselves, and when shared, they make the holidays even more meaningful.

So, this year, let’s make the season shine a little brighter by celebrating the joy of storytelling. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite tradition—or a story you’ll retell for years to come!

Happy Holidays! Together...