New baby. Old traditions. For many families, the birth of a baby brings a longing for rituals and traditions—ways to affirm the family's history and unique characteristics. Some new parents turn to the family and cultural traditions with which they were raised; others create their own ways that they will pass on to their children. These customs can be something as simple as wrapping your newborn in your old baby blanket or dressing the baby in the same gown that has been used for generations at the christening. Not sure how to create traditions in your growing family? Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

Baby's Garden
Tim is an avid gardener. When he became a father for the first time, he found a great way to tie his love of gardening to his joy at the birth of his first child, Nate. Shortly before Nate's birth, Tim cleared a small patch in the garden and planted it with a mix of annual and perennial flowers that would bloom in June, when the baby was due. Each year, the perennials bloom right around his son's birthday, and each year, Tim again plants larkspur, pansies and other early summer annuals. Working in "Nate's garden," as the family calls that part of the yard, always reminds Tim of how he felt when his newborn son came home. And Nate helps him carry on the tradition. Father and son now have two more special areas of the garden to work on—one for each of Nate's younger sisters. The birthday of the youngest child, Bethany, presented some gardening challenges—she was born in January! Tim planted Bethany's corner with evergreen shrubs that he decorates with silk flowers for her birthday.

Throughout history, trees have been planted to commemorate the birth of a child. In some legends, this was a way to keep the newborn's spirit bound to the earth. Some cultures planted a fruit tree and nourished it with the baby's bath water.

Naming the Baby
This has been the cause of more arguments than wedding plans or finances. Long ago, many children were given "false names" to ensure the child's health and well-being. It kept any lurking evil spirits from discovering the child's true identity.
In the Judaic tradition, naming a child is no small matter for the parents believe that the child's name will be a life-long influence upon the character of their offspring. Roman Catholics traditionally name their children after saints. Many parents turn to the countries of their heritage to get ideas.

In Greece, the firstborn son receives the name of his paternal grandfather. The second son carries on the name from the maternal grandfather. The same is true of daughters and grandmothers.

Still having problems? Try this adaptation of an old Balkan custom. Write the name choices on scraps of paper. Put a candle next to each. The candle that burns out first (or the one that is the lowest) is the winner. You can use a tall thin candle and a shorter broader one in the race.

Passing Out Cigars
This tradition may have come into our modern-day culture from the Northwest Coast Native American Potlatch ceremony. The person conducting the Potlatch throws a lavish party and shares his fortunes with the rest of the community. The tobacco smoked during that event was blown toward the sun to please the gods. In the same way, the cigar smoke is a gesture of thanksgiving. Why not give out spice-scented candles or sweet smelling flowers on your baby's day of birth instead?

Treasure Keeper Box It's a bundle of joy. You can pack all the cherished mementos into one of the beautiful gift boxes from the baby presents. Include: · A newspaper from the day of birth · Baby's and mother's hospital ID bracelets · Congratulations and christening greeting cards tied with a pink or blue ribbon · Birth announcement · Lock of hair · First photo · Family tree · Bible from the christening, momentos from religious ceremony or naming day celebration. Birthday Candle In Germany, a baby is given a candle on the day of birth. The tall candle is made of beeswax and is studded with twelve cloves spaced equally down the height of the candle. At the baby's christening, the candle is lit briefly. Starting at the child's first birthday, the candle is burned down to the first clove. This continues at every birthday throughout the twelve years of childhood.

What Will You Be?
Parents around the world and through the ages have wondered what their child will grow up to be. Here's an age-old practice that more than likely won't predict the future. Three items are placed in front of the baby. The one he or she grabs first determines the future profession. Choose a trio: potato (farmer), book (scholar), Bible (clergy), pen (writer), paintbrush (artist), or a coin (banker).
Whether you rely on the past or create anew, your traditions welcome your baby into your family and lives.