Holiday time is a time to consider community traditions as well as family traditions. My family is staying with in-laws in rural Suffolk, England, so we’ve been going to all of the local celebrations. Thursday, we went to a performance of local Molly Dancers.
This is a reclaimed local tradition that takes place between harvest and the blessing of the ploughs in early January. The disguised ploughmen dance while a group of ivy-covered women providing the music. “No matter what you believe and who you believe in,” said the umbrella-man, the announcer, “this is about Nature.”
Look into local traditions either where you live or where you travel, and participate with your children to give them a broad view of their cultural environmental.
Whatever holiday you are celebrating this season, I wish you and your family best wishes.
