As a place where couples and families converge to put down roots and spread their wings, it turns out that the name “Traditions” of Braselton was ideal. In addition to the wealth of community traditions we’ve established over the years – like our annual Sheila Fest all-day outdoor concert, our poolside summer kickoff parties, our kid-focused Halloween celebrations, and holiday parties for our wide variety of special interest groups, our neighbors enjoy creating traditions of their own. They may host a regular cocktail hour with the folks next door on Fridays after work, backyard BBQs on the weekend, the first day of school photo sessions, and so much more. And then there are those traditions that each household holds dear year after year.
If you’re considering a move to Traditions of Braselton, we look forward to the traditions you will not only bring here, but also those you will MAKE here. A little lean in the family traditions department? For a bit of inspiration, we’ve done our homework and found a year’s worth of unusual traditions you and your loved ones might want to incorporate into your home and beloved family pastimes over the next 12 months and the years to come…
January
Once the holiday season has come to a close and the chilly weather makes your family members want to spend more time indoors, consider fighting off the Winter blues by picking up a new hobby. In addition to being the first month of each new year, January is National Hobby Month. Explore a new hobby each January – either as a family or individually – then share your talents with the other family members. It can run the gamut from cooking and crafting to playing a new instrument or sport.
February
Everybody has heard of Secret Santa, but Clandestine Cupid is destined to become an up-and-comer. Mom and Dad can divide and conquer among the kids in their brood, delivering a small, secret message, treat, or gift from Cupid for the 13 days of February leading up to Valentine’s Day. It’ll be no secret that the gift they receive ON Valentine’s Day will be from their loving parents.
March
While St. Patrick’s Day is often associated with green beer and Irish whiskey shots, you can make it fun for the little ones in your home by crafting and setting out a “Leprechaun Trap” the night before St. Pat’s. On the holiday itself, turn the water in their bathtub green in the spirit of the City of Chicago and its famed Chicago River. If you become a neighbor, we highly recommend you make plans to participate in Braselton’s famed Paddy’s Day PathFEST by decorating your golf cart, getting everyone all decked out in green, and parading the LifePath with your new neighbors.
April
Decorating eggs and Easter egg hunts have been beloved traditions for centuries. But if you’re looking for a new way to put a little more HAPPY in your Easter, you might want to “egg” your neighbors’ houses. This is a great lesson that it’s better to give than to receive for the kiddos. Have them select a few neighbors to “egg,” then stuff half a dozen eggs per neighbor, hide them in the bushes around their front yards, and leave a cute note on their front doors to let them know they’ve been egged and must find all six eggs then pass the goodwill on to another neighbor.
May
May 1 represents May Day – a celebration of Spring observed all around the world that typically marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice. In medieval times, villagers were known to celebrate May Day by venturing into the forest to “bring in the green” to their homes. They’d collect wildflowers, interesting branches, pine cones, pebbles, moss, and anything beautiful they could find to enhance their home ahead of the change of seasons. Start a new family tradition where you go exploring a walking trail or local park in search of goodies for your own May Day floral arrangement.
June
The first day of Summer 2024 falls on June 20. Take a cue from our neighbors in Arkansas, slice up a ripe watermelon, and hold a watermelon seed spitting contest. Have a fun summer-related prize for the family member who can spit their seeds the farthest. Rinse off the sticky stuff with a barefoot run through the sprinklers.
July
Fireworks, parades, and backyard BBQs are all time-honored Independence Day traditions, but if you want to add a little more “sparkle” to this popular summer holiday, consider hosting a friendly battle between the Brits and the Americans. Designate an even number of your guests to both sides of the battle and set up several games for them to play as teams: egg-and-spoon race, potato sack race, tug of war, and more.
August
This one’s for the grownups! Observed the first Friday of August – this year on August 2 – International Beer Day is a great occasion to kick off the weekend with a beer-tasting party. Have your guests bring a six-pack of their favorite import, then hold a blind taste test and have everyone score their favorite and least favorite beers. Award a prize for the most popular beer and a booby prize for the least popular beer. Serve a sports bar menu of sliders, wings, chips & dips, and more to round out the festivities.
September
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of Summer for many. It’s also a time when many studios release big blockbuster movies. Instead of going to the theater, plan your own “drive-in movie” for the kiddos. Have them decorate cardboard boxes like their dream cars, then set them up inside their individual cars on the driveway with a blanket and a bucket of popcorn while you spread a white king-sized sheet across your garage door and project a kid-friendly flick on the “big screen.”
October
Halloween has long been believed to be a night when spirits walk the Earth. In many parts of the world, families will leave out a lighted candle and treats for their dearly departed loved ones. Before your kids go to bed after a long night of trick-or-treating and candy-feasting, consider incorporating this tradition into your own Halloween festivities. Set out photos of loved ones who have passed away, talk about them, light candles, and leave out a spread of treats (which will magically disappear overnight.) This wonderful observance will keep your loved ones alive in the memories of your little ones.
November
After everyone has pulled away from the Thanksgiving table, suggest a second-wind stroll around the neighborhood. Not only will this be an excellent opportunity to walk off that full feeling (and maybe even a few calories), but – if you’ve recently moved into a new home at Traditions of Braselton – it’s also a great chance to show your guests around the neighborhood and introduce them to any neighbors you encounter while you’re all out and about. By the time you return home, you and your guests might be ready for PIE! The best part of this tradition is that you can observe it at any holiday gathering – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, too!
December
While many cultures drink a toast to the New Year with a glass of champagne, New Year’s Eve revelers in Russia add a rather unusual ingredient. Before midnight, write your wishes for the New Year on a small piece of paper. Hold those wishes over a champagne flute and burn them with a lit candle so they turn to ash at the bottom of the glass. When the ball drops and the clock strikes midnight, pop the cork on a bottle of champagne, pour it over your ashes, and drink it down to make them come true.
New traditions are popping up all the time. Remember, no one even knew what an Elf on the Shelf was until 2005! Adopt any one of the traditions above into your own cherished family pastimes, or keep an eye out for new ones you can collect over the years.
If you plan to visit Traditions of Braselton in 2024, be sure to pop by the Discovery Center first to learn the latest news. We’ll be happy to point you toward new homes under construction, available home sites, and builders that fit your vision. The Discovery Center is located at 401 Delaperriere Loop in Jefferson. We are open Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 1 pm – 6 pm. If you have any questions before your visit, please don’t hesitate to call us at 706-664-2830.
From all of us here at the Discovery Center, we wish you and yours a Big, Bright, and Beautiful New Year! We look forward to the prospect of welcoming you to the neighborhood in 2024!
KB 12/18/23
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