Summer Family Traditions
Written by Nikky Nag   

Summer is here! Lots of sunshine…..lazy days….cool refreshments…..for many lucky people, this is what summer entails. Let’s give some thought to some of those special family traditions for this time of year. We can record the traditions followed by our families over the years. Add some photographs and memorabilia (ticket stubs, postage stamps, etc.) for interest. Possible traditions could include the following:

Family Reunions Where have we had our family reunions? Which places did we go to, and where did we stay? Who has attended? What did we do during the day and night? What types of food did we eat? Do any funny, special or memorable moments come to mind?  

Vacations Think of similar aspects to the ‘Family Reunions’ section. How did we get there? How long did we stay? Did we do any sightseeing? Any special shopping? How was the weather? Would we like to visit these places again?

Celebrations In the US, the Fourth of July, Independence Day, is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. In Greece, October 28th and March 25th are significant National Holidays. Fathers’ day is usually in June and now recognized worldwide. Are there any family birthdays? How did we celebrate these special occasions, and with whom?
 
Sports What sports do we tend to play in the summer months? Do we participate in any special training, classes or camps or just play for leisure? Which family member has an affinity to which sport? Don’t forget to write about swimming, a sport that is enjoyed by many in the hot season.                              
 
Foods What does our family like to eat in summer? Do we make or buy any special things to eat or drink? Who is enthusiastic about cooking in our family?                      

Summer Family Traditions in Greece

Families in Greece spend a lot of time together during summer months. Children will usually get to see their grandparents and relatives; families are likely to stay in their summer homes….which could be by the sea or mountain! This is also a time when people think of home-improvement projects. At times children will help with such tasks and earn pocket-money in the process! Children go fishing and hiking with their parents or grandparents, ride bicycles, play water-sports, soccer and basketball. They all sleep late at night and have long dinners. Frequently, there are open concerts and theatrical performances that all age groups are interested to attend, especially the youth. Families in Greece enjoy their summer days spending time at the beach or mountains with little stress, a very short to do-list and no alarm clocks!