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family
Christmas traditions
you'll want to start now
The holidays are a time for family, warmth, and making memories that last a lifetime. One of the best ways to make the Christmas season even more special is by starting family traditions. Whether it’s a fun activity or a meaningful gesture, these traditions create lasting bonds and build a sense of togetherness. If you’re looking to create new holiday traditions with your loved ones, here are 10 ideas that are easy to start and full of joy.
Family Christmas Traditions
You'll Want To Start Now
1. Decorating the Christmas Tree Together
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of picking out and decorating the Christmas tree. As a family, this tradition can become a cherished ritual each year. Whether you get a real tree or a faux one, the experience of trimming it with lights, ornaments, and tinsel brings everyone together. To make it even more special, consider giving each family member a special ornament. Each year they get to add it to the tree, creating a collection of memories over time.
You could also add a twist by watching a holiday movie or listening to Christmas music while you decorate. This is a family Christmas tradition you’ll want to start now to kick off the holiday season. It’s a simple activity and a perfect way for families to spend time together.
2. Christmas Eve Box
A Christmas Eve box is a cozy tradition that adds excitement and anticipation for Christmas Day. The box usually contains pajamas, a holiday movie, hot chocolate mix, and maybe a small gift or two. It’s a great way to make the night before Christmas feel magical and is something kids (and adults) can look forward to. You can personalize the contents each year and watch as everyone gets excited for this special treat.
GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS EVE BOX
SANTA COOKIE ELF CANDY SNOWMAN CARD GAME
Check out my post, Holiday Shopping Tips For Stay-At-Home Moms: Your Stress Free Guide for easy shopping hacks to help you fill your Christmas Even box with ease.
3. Baking Holiday Treats
Baking together is a heartwarming way to spend quality time with the family. You can choose to make gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies to decorate, a festive pie or candies. Turn your kitchen into a place of laughter and creativity. Once you’ve finished baking, you can deliver the treats to friends or neighbors as a gesture of goodwill. Make it a yearly tradition by adding a “baking day” to your schedule in early December. You can then bake and prep all your favorite recipes for the season.
TIP: Most cookies and holiday treats can be made ahead and frozen to keep them fresh until you’re ready to use them.
4. Family Christmas Card Photo
Start a new tradition by taking a family photo for your Christmas card each year. This can be a fun, lighthearted event where everyone dresses in matching outfits, festive sweaters, or holiday-themed costumes. It’s a way to capture the moment and look back on the memories for years to come.
If you’re feeling creative, you can even turn it into a theme each year. Choose your family’s favorite holiday movie or story (think: “A Christmas Story” or “The Grinch”). Each year pick a new theme and have your kids come up with ideas for how to make it work in a photo.
If you’re crafty, you can also make a scrapbook or photo album dedicated to your holiday family pictures.
Have your photo printed on a holiday card to send out to family and friends!
5. Advent Calendar Countdown
An Advent calendar is a wonderful way to build excitement leading up to Christmas Day. There are many types of Advent calendars. You may want to choose traditional ones with little doors that open to reveal a piece of chocolate or others that hold small gifts or activities.
You can create your own custom Advent calendar with daily notes, activities, or acts of kindness to perform each day. For example, “Donate toys to charity” or “Write a letter to Santa.”
This tradition gives kids (and adults) something special to look forward to each day and brings an extra layer of excitement to the holiday season.
6. Christmas Movie Night
What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a cozy Christmas movie night? Make it a tradition to watch a favorite Christmas movie (or a new one) every year. Classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf, or The Polar Express can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Set up a comfy space with blankets, pillows, and some holiday snacks like popcorn and hot cocoa. You can even make it a marathon, watching multiple films over the course of a weekend.
Check out these fun holiday popcorn tins to add to the excitement!
7. Gift of Giving
Start a tradition of giving back each Christmas. This can involve volunteering as a family at a local food bank, donating clothes or toys to a shelter, or even adopting a family in need. This practice not only helps others but also teaches children about the true meaning of Christmas—kindness, generosity, and compassion. It’s a beautiful way to show your kids the importance of helping others during the holiday season.
8. Write Letters to Santa (or a Gratitude List)
Writing a letter to Santa is a tradition that many families enjoy. But, instead of just asking for gifts, you can encourage your children to also include things they’re grateful for or what they’ve learned during the year. This tradition helps children reflect on the blessings in their lives and brings a sense of gratitude to the holiday season.
If your kids are a little older, you can also start a family tradition of writing letters to each other, expressing what they appreciate about one another. This small act of kindness can bring everyone closer and reminds them of the love that fills your home.
9. Christmas Morning Breakfast
Instead of diving straight into the presents on Christmas morning, create a tradition of starting the day with a special breakfast. Whether it’s homemade cinnamon rolls, pancakes, or a festive breakfast casserole, this meal can become a time to gather together, share stories, and enjoy a delicious treat. You could even set up a hot chocolate bar or include a “Santa’s Favorite” dish to make it extra festive.
This tradition sets a relaxed, joyful tone for the rest of the holiday celebrations and gives everyone the chance to enjoy each other’s company before the chaos of gift-giving.
10. Christmas Light Tour
If your family enjoys the magic of Christmas lights, make it a tradition to take a drive or walk around the neighborhood to view the best light displays. You can even pick a night to go all out and visit a nearby neighborhood or public display known for their holiday lights. Bring along some Christmas music or a hot drink in a thermos to make the experience feel even more festive. This is a wonderful tradition for families with young kids or for those who love the winter wonderland that lights create.
Conclusion
Starting Christmas traditions with your family is a beautiful way to make memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. These traditions don’t have to be grand or complicated—what matters most is the time spent together and the love that fills your home. Whether it’s baking, decorating, giving, or simply watching a movie, these traditions will bring you closer as a family and ensure that the holiday season is filled with warmth, joy, and meaning.
Pick one or more to start this year and let the holiday magic begin!
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