Think some of your family rituals and traditions are just plain silly? Well, sure—we might choose to dial up the hilarity (think ugly sweaters and meme ornaments) to bring the kind of levity we all need in our homes. But celebrating those same sentimental standards—and traditions that go much deeper—can also help us define what family means to us, pass on our values, and draw closer together.

Whether you are looking to start or continue holiday rituals or trying to fill your children’s memory banks, researchers suggest that “enacting a family ritual is more important than the specific form that the ritual takes.” Rituals are central to family life—be they attending religious services or ringing in the New Year with noisemakers.

According to three studies published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, traditions improve holiday enjoyment “because they amplify family closeness and involvement in the experience.” That finding alone should give you permission to be quirky or traditional in your choices.

Our family has Ralph in all his furry, stuffed animal glory. Ralph is a plush prize handed out at our family awards dinner at the end of our annual vacation.

But the buzz around him doesn’t stop there. Ralph—and all that surrounds this honor we created—is a topic of conversation year-round. He is part of our family lore........

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