What is your most cherished family tradition?

In an extended family including children of various ages, many traveling aunts and uncles, and crazy schedules, it’s difficult to see one another on a regular basis. So now we get together four times a year for a group party to celebrate all the family birthdays of the previous three months. Everyone clears the day, and we alternate host houses. It has made card and gift sending much less stressful — all that’s expected on the actual birthday is a phone call — and it’s another excuse to get away and see everyone.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader Lisa Anderson, Walled Lake, Michigan