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Tradition and the Soruce Initiative
Tradition and the Soruce Initiative
Nov 13, 2026
Traditions
This month at the Spruce Initiative we examine the importance of traditions in our every day lives. Traditions are regular customs or practises that are passed down from one generation or community the next.
Ever since the Dark Ages in Western Culture the churches and other religious organisations have been custodians of morality and seasonal celebrations. However post World War II people have turned away from religion and we now have a predominantly secular society.
Rather than celebrating the birth of Christ at Christmas we celebrate the coming of Santa Claus, the end of the year and our joy in coming together with our families and friends.
I read recently that Thanksgiving was originally a harvest celebration however in America it has primarily become a celebration of family and community. In America Thanksgiving is a widespread tradition that marks the start of the end of year holiday season.
The end of year holiday season is traditionally a time of giving. In Western tradition a Christmas tree has been an important part of the celebration.
When I was a child in Canada we used to go to a Christmas tree farm on Christmas Eve and cut down a tree. We took the tree home and decorated it with beautiful blown glass ornaments and lights. Then we surrounded the tree with wrapped gifts. On the twelfth day of Christmas, January 5 th each year, we took down the Christmas decorations, lovingly wrapping the blown glass ornaments to be used again the following year. Then we took down the tree, and threw the tree away.
At the Spruce Initiative we celebrate a new updated tradition derived from the importance of a tree to the Solstice and Christmas celebrations. We thought instead of chopping down a tree or buying an artificial tree that would end up in landfill and be harmful to the environment why don’t we plant a tree in celebration International Spruce Day, January 5 th each year? This celebrates the traditional finish of the endi of year celebrations and preparation for the year ahead.
The tradition of planting a tree every year makes for a sustainable and accountable environmentally friendly holiday season. The gift of a tree to the planet is a positive step towards sustaining our lives on the planet and towards stewardship of life on Earth. In addition planting trees is something we can all agree we need. It is a multicultural celebration derived from our Western traditions. We all need trees.
Our mission at the Spruce Initiative is clean and green. We seek to build a better, more beautiful and sustainable world. The annual planting of a tree is a tradition that makes for a green planet and a sustainable environment . Don’t just clean, let’s Spruce.
Cheers,
Felicity
Clean and green is our strategy. Remember: one piece a day sends the rubbish away! Don’t just clean let’s Spruce.
www.thespruceinitiative.info
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