Holidays and Traditions

A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or tradition of cultural or religious significance.

A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of folklore, common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes, but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings.

• What is the difference between a holiday and a tradition?

A tradition can be something started by your family or even you and your friends that no one else may have ever heard of, however, a holiday is usually something well known that everyone takes part in (depending on what holiday it is)

• Why are traditions important?

If you trace any tradition to its source, you will find its roots in the inner experience of an individual or group of people. A tradition is therefore valuable as an inspiration or means for the present generation to arrive at that same experience.

• Why do people keep traditions alive?

Keeping traditions alive is important for teaching the next generation about a particular or shared past. Traditions help to tether learning individuals to their family and place of origin, giving them a sense of security and continuity from one year to the next. Often, this includes religious traditions.

Holidays that I celebrate