Families have many special traditions to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Starting new traditions around these days is also common. If your family is looking for some new ways to enjoy Mother’s Day or Father’s Day this year, check out these tips and gift ideas that will help make your celebrations special:

Shop, dine or donate – Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are when we recognize parents for starting their families. This year, March of Dimes is launching the imbornto campaign to celebrate a powerful truth that every baby is born to do something great, but first they have to be born strong and healthy. Every time a baby is born, so are a new mom and dad. That’s why March of Dimes is the “Official Partner of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” encouraging you to shop, dine or donate where you see the imbornto seal to help continue the organization’s 75 years of research, education, vaccine development and medical breakthrough. imbornto partners include Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., The Bon-Ton Stores, Bliss Carpets, Farmers Insurance, Kmart, Mud Pie, Beaulieu, ProFlowers and First Response. Visit www.imbornto.com to learn more.

Good eats – New delicious recipes always bring flair to family gatherings around the dinner table. Make it a fun event by having family members create these recipes together, and then present them to mom or dad with a flourish of colorful cards, fresh cut flowers or brightly-wrapped packaging. Here are some great recipes from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. to try:

Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Yield: serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound potatoes, preferably fingerling, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

2 cups white vinegar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for sprinkling

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Bring potatoes and vinegar to a boil in a medium saucepan (vinegar should cover potatoes). Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer potatoes until just fork tender, about 5 minutes. Let potatoes cool in vinegar for 30 minutes. Drain well, and gently toss with oil, salt and pepper. Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill potatoes in a single layer until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Sprinkle with salt before serving.

Brown Sugar and Pecan Sticky Buns

Prep time: 25 minutes

Total time: 55 minutes plus resting

Yield: serves 12

Ingredients:

All-purpose flour, for work surface

1 recipe basic pizza dough, or 2 pounds store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen

1 cup plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 3/4 sticks), room temperature

1 cup packed dark-brown sugar

1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions:

On a floured work surface, roll dough to a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Dot upper two-thirds of dough with 1 cup butter and fold dough like a letter. Roll dough to a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Refrigerate on a baking sheet until firm, 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine sugar, pecans and salt. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, dot dough with 6 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Starting at a long end, roll up dough like a jelly roll. Cut crosswise into 12 pieces. Place each piece, cut side down, into 2 jumbo muffin pans or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Immediately invert buns onto a serving platter or baking sheet. Serve warm.

Cook’s note:

Folding butter into the dough creates a flaky, rich result. This recipe works well with store-bought dough, but it’s exceptional with homemade.

* Family activity time – Spending the day together is the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, so find an activity everyone can enjoy. Maybe it’s heading out to watch a movie, going to the local park for a long walk or bike ride, or crafting a household decoration together.

All members of the family can enjoy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, so consider trying out a new family tradition and make the celebration even bigger this year.