What is your most cherished family tradition?

My father believed in helping others and always wanted to let everyone know he or she had value. To honor him, around the anniversary of his death, about 20 members of our family and Dad’s friends hold a Scatter & Serve Day, when we go around the community helping those in need — cleaning yards or homes, weeding gardens, and providing food for homebound, terminally ill, or homeless people. Once, we held an ice-cream social to thank firefighters. We break into teams of four or five and make it fun. I can’t think of a better way to show that my father will always be remembered.

This tip comes from Real Simple reader Summer Highfill, Springfield, Oregon