Family traditions are like spiritual and emotional cement in the foundation of a happy home. They create fond memories and these memories bond us together. Christmas is the perfect time to initiate family traditions and to create new ones.
I remember when my husband and I were newlyweds trying to navigate a united marriage built with separate ideas and backgrounds. We both held on to the traditions we had grown up with. Some we have been able to incorporate into our life, but throughout the years we have curated our own to fit our unique little family. Here are some ideas for you to pick and choose or use altogether.
Make a Christmas bucket list
This list can include the ideas in this article or simple activities like having a snowball fight or making gingerbread houses. Include your children by asking them what ideas they have for the holiday season. You may even come up with your own family traditions.
Grab some hot chocolate and drive around looking at Christmas lights
My family does this at least once during the Christmas season. Usually on a Monday night (or two), we get our favorite hot chocolate at the gas station (fancy, huh?) and drive around the best decorated neighborhoods. And listening to Christmas music while we drive is a must!
Watch a favorite Christmas movie together
Some families watch a few different ones every year, and some families have their Christmas movie. My daughter and I have to watch White Christmas each year, while the rest of us usually decide on Elf – a funny favorite.
Donate at least one old toy to children in need
I don’t know about you, but more toys are the last thing I think my kids need. They would beg to differ, so instead of adding to the almost-forgotten-toy-pile, have them choose at least one toy to give to the less fortunate.
Go caroling around your neighborhood
I feel like this is a forgotten art. Who cares if you can sing or if you’re tone-deaf. These days you could even use your phone or iPod to accompany you. Blast your favorite Christmas tunes and meet your neighbors.
Donate food to a local shelter
This is a great excuse to clean out your pantry. Gather up your extra canned goods and non-perishable items and donate to a shelter or food kitchen.
Bake cookies for Santa
My kids think that the yummier the cookies, the better the presents. Leaving Santa a plate of cookies on Christmas Eve is so magical, especially for children. And if you stay tuned, I will be posting Santa’s Favorite Cookie recipe in a couple of weeks.
12 Days of Christmas
This was one of my favorite traditions as a child. Starting 12 days before Christmas, you choose a family in your neighborhood and basically doorbell-ditch them every night. You can leave treats, or small gifts, or even just a kind anonymous note.
Make a hot chocolate bar
Buy several different flavors of hot chocolate mix and all the fixings, and go to town. This would also be a fun activity to invite friends or neighbors you would like to get to know better.
Buy a new Christmas book each year and read together
There are so many wonderful Christmas books, many with beautiful pictures and meaningful messages. My parents give us one each year and I keep them out during the season to read as a family. I often catch my children nestled in a corner reading them to each other or by themselves.
Buy an ornament that sums up the year
Did you go on a family vacation or create memories you don’t want to forget? You can find almost any type of ornament online. If not, get your craft on and create one with your kids.
Find an Angel Tree or other similar program and buy gifts for children in need
Many businesses sponsor some kind of Angel Tree program. You basically pick an “ornament” off the tree and it will have information on it like the age and gender of the child, and sometimes what they want or need for Christmas. You buy as much or as little as you want and donate it to the business who then takes it all to the families in need. My kids LOVE to go shopping for the kids they chose.
“Pringle Party”
This was another favorite from my childhood. In fact, my siblings and I loved it so much that we all do it with our children too. This is basically a giant kids sleepover on Christmas Eve night. The kids sleep in one room and play games and eat Pringles (or whatever treats you decide) and are hopefully too loud and distracted to hear Santa come.
Bake your favorite Christmas treats and take them to your neighbors
Any excuse to bake yummy treats, right? I love to make just enough Christmas treats to enjoy some myself, and share more with others.
Act out the Nativity
Get your extended family or friends together and assign a part to each person. Open up your scriptures and act out the entire story from Mary riding on the donkey (my dad was more like a bucking bull than a donkey) to the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. This is a great way for kids to remember the facts and the importance of the nativity.
Whether you are newlywed, raising small kids to teenagers, or empty-nesters, traditions will unite your family and create lasting memories. Merry Christmas!
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One Response
This post brings up some fond memories from my childhood. Caroling, driving aroudn to see the lights, baking for friends and neighbors. Then ones from my children AND my childhood, acting out the Nativity, donating to a toy drive, giving trees, Christmas movies. I love the idea of the pringle party. I want to change it just a little since my kids are older, and I love the hotchocolate bar and inviting friends and family over! Traditions are the best and this post reminded me of their value. Going to try and add a couple of new ones to the list this year!