We tend to think of "family traditions" as things that we do around holidays and celebrations. Sprinkling a few more traditions throughout the year could help your family be more intentional about how you spend your time together and make lasting memories you'll all pass down through generations.

Use this three-step process to create new family traditions that will compound your family's return on life (ROL). 

One reason holiday traditions usually stick year after year is that the rest of the world carves out that free time for us. Our other commitments shut down and we're free to exchange presents and share big meals. During the rest of the year, it can be a lot trickier to find regular family time, or even plan out a vacation months in advance. 

Some people also worry that planning to spend time together as a family is a little too close to forcing the family to spend time together. Take away choice and spontaneity and you might be taking away a bit of the fun as well.

But quality family time doesn't always just happen. And if we wait around for it, weeks or months might zoom by with valuable family time lost. 

So, call a family meeting and have everyone bring their calendars. In addition to planning for holidays and vacations, look for smaller opportunities to grab a couple hours together. Committing to a weekly family meal or gathering to watch your favorite sports team could become an important anchor in your family's regular schedule. 

A would-be tradition that only interests one or two family members probably won't be repeated next year -- especially if those one or two family members are parents. 

Give your whole family a chance to talk about what kinds of things you should do together. You might start the conversation by discussing your favorite memories. If you all loved the ski trip you took last winter, maybe you should put another on the calendar for next year. 

You could also agree to try an experience that will be new to everyone. Your family might bond over the novelty, trial, and error, of fishing, taking a cruise, or even cooking a fancy meal together. 

If part of your goal for a new tradition is to connect with your extended family, involve them in the conversation. Pinpoint activities and locales that could center a big family event. 

Finally, don't forget that not all traditions involve trips and presents. Some of the strongest traditions put your values in action. If you love raising money for your favorite nonprofit or contributing to your neighborhood food drive, think about traditions that could inspire you all to give more together.

Remember the “family recipe” that your great-great-aunt used to bring to every holiday meal? 

No?

That’s probably because no one liked eating it.

What about that quaint little town where you used to go swimming? Should you go back, even though the beach hasn’t been kept up and the shops have all closed?

Times change, places change, interests change, and most importantly, your family changes. Don’t cling to traditions, new or old, if they make family time feel like a chore. 

And when you do establish traditions that you want to continue, mention them to your financial advisor at your next meeting. A Life-Centered Planning process can help you invest more of your resources in the moments that matter the most.