What’s your tradition? Party Mix

I made this song for my two boys to help them learn about different cultures and the traditions people share. From Chinese New Year and Diwali to Name Day and Christmas, I wanted to give them a fun way to ask, “What do you do in your family?”

I also wanted them to know that as they grow up, they can keep the traditions they love, join in with others, and start a few of their own. 🪩🍊

🎵 What’s Your Tradition? (Party Mix) — Ambi-R-OSE

What’s one tradition you grew up with, or one you started yourself?

Paper lanterns, marked date
Same old table, same old plate
You say come in, I say okay
Learn your customs, learn your way

Different days, same front door
Tell me what you do yours for
Different days, same front door
Tell me what you do yours for

Red envelope, folded neat
Warm bread passed from seat to seat
Masks come off, the room gets small
Someone knows the names of all

Hold one beat, let it fall
One short pause, then back to all

Different days, same front door
Tell me what you do yours for
Different days, same front door
Tell me what you do yours for

Mark the calendar in blue
Save a little place for two
Bring the story, bring the plate
We can learn it while we wait

Your way, my way
Room enough today

Chinese New Year, Diwali,
Halloween and Christmas.
Mid-Autumn, name day—
What’s your tradition?

Chinese New Year, Diwali,
Halloween and Christmas.
Mid-Autumn, name day—
What’s your tradition?

Your tradition—
Your, your tradition.
What do you do?
What do you do?

Lights in the window, food on a plate,
Something we do on a certain date.
Some dress up, some gather at home,
Some welcome people they’ve never known.

A name day with a special name,
Melbourne Cup—it’s racing day.
Different reasons, different ways,
Different meanings behind these days.

Are they all festivals?
Not every one.
Some are for remembering,
Some are full of fun.

On Anzac Day, we pause to remember.
Some days are quiet,
Some bring us together.

Chinese New Year, Diwali,
Halloween and Christmas.
Mid-Autumn, name day—
What’s your tradition?

Chinese New Year, Diwali,
Halloween and Christmas.
Mid-Autumn, name day—
What’s your tradition?

“Would you like to join us?”
“Tell me what you do.”
“I’ve never tried that—
Could I come with you?”

Some families celebrate,
Some let the day go by.
You can love your own traditions
And give another one a try.

Same cake, same joke,
Same birthday wish.
Same old photo—
Who blinked? Who missed?

Your house, your rules,
What do you do?
Keep what you like.
Make something new.

Your choice.
My choice.
Do it again?

Same time?
Same place?
Bring a friend.

“We did this last year!”
“Shall we do it again?”
Keep a little of the old—
Let something new begin.

Chinese New Year, Diwali,
Halloween and Christmas.
Mid-Autumn, name day—
What’s your tradition?

Your home, my home—
Different things we do.
When you’re a little older,
You can make one too.

“Why do we always do this?”

“Because we like to.
Do you?”