Christmas is all about traditions and each family has their own. The types of tradition also vary from place to place and country to country. But the thing with traditions is, they have to start somewhere…
In my house, we have a Christmas-themed photo shoot each year. We have images taken of us as a family, plus single shots of our son. Over the years, we have dressed up as elves, in fair-isle jumpers and as the Clause family. It is such good fun and the photos are great to look on. The whole thing is a little cheesy though, I must admit!
Would you like to start some new traditions with your children this Christmas? If you are, there are lots of different thing to choose from. From small things, to more elaborate activities.
By starting traditions, you can make Christmas more exciting and enjoyable. You’ll be able to celebrate as a family, by making unforgettable memories that you can look back on.
Here are some things that we thing you should try this year. And if you like them, maybe they could become a new family tradition!
1) Visit Local Lights
Look for details on local light shows and take the children to see one. Be sure to go to one of the best light shows in the area to provide the best possible experience.
With some light shows, you can walk through them. However, there are other light shows that require visitors to drive through in their vehicles. This is a great way to spend a festive evening with your family.
2) Get Matching Christmas PJs
Buy matching Christmas pajamas for each person in the household to wear. Everyone can make sure to wear their PJs on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It’s a great tradition to start!
3) Make Christmas Decorations Together
Get crafty and buy supplies to make Christmas decorations together. You can spend hours as a family putting different decorations together and then hanging them up around the home, including on the walls and your windows.
4) Watch a Christmas Film on Christmas Eve
Look for a good Christmas movie to watch on Christmas Eve with the family. You can watch whilst eating assorted snacks, including popcorn and chocolate.
5) Open One Gift on Christmas Eve
Let each person in the house open a gift on Christmas Eve. It gets them excited for the following day when they’ll have even more items available to unwrap and open!
6) Do a Cookie Exchange
Consider doing a cookie exchange with other friends and family members or neighbors. Bake delicious Christmas-themed cookies to swap with different people. It’s lots of fun to make these cookies together.
7) Decorate the Tree While Listening to Christmas Music
Put on some Christmas music and start decorating the tree with the family. Add decorations, tinsel, garlands and any other items you like to put up, whilst singing along to some of your favorite Christmas tunes.
8) Go Caroling
Consider going caroling! It’s a tradition that has been around for centuries, but not many people do it these days. You can bring the tradition back to life while caroling with the kids and your partner.
9) Have a Christmas Eve Potluck
Think about having a Christmas Eve potluck. Each person in the family can bring something over to your house, such as apple pie, baked macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, or even lasagne. The idea is to have plenty of delicious food available. whilst gathering to catch up and eat.
10) Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
Make some homemade hot chocolate with the kids and let them get creative by adding extras, such as sprinkles, syrups, and marshmallows. Who doesn’t love a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day?
11) Prepare Christmas-Themed Cinnamon Rolls
Get in the kitchen and prepare some Christmas-themed cinnamon rolls. You can use red or green food coloring to the glaze when you prepare it before drizzling it over your cinnamon rolls.
12) Decorate Stockings for the Tree
Decorate mini stockings that you can hang on the tree or near the tree. You can buy blank stockings and decorate them with glitter, sequins, paint and other decorative extras.
13) Play a Game the Night Before Christmas
Choose a game that you can play with the family the night before Christmas. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones, while sharing laughs and good times.
14) Make a Gingerbread House
Buy a gingerbread house kit and put it together with the kids. It’s fun adding different elements to the gingerbread house to make it look presentable.
15) Visit an Ice Skating Rink
Check out a local ice skating rink for a night of fun on the ice. You don’t have to be a professional ice skater to have a good time on the rink.
16) Go to Church on Christmas Eve
Think about going to church on Christmas Eve. It’s often one of the best times to go to church and many places will have performances that reenact the birth of Jesus. It may also remind you of happily family memories. Our church reminds me of our wedding day!
17) Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
Go to a local Christmas tree farm and pick out your tree before chopping it down and bringing it home. Let the kids help with the selection process.
18) Make Care Packages for the Homeless
Do something nice for others this Christmas, by making care packages for the homeless. It shows children the importance of giving back and being there for others, including the less fortunate who may be struggling.
19) Bake Christmas Dessert Together
Decide on a dessert that you’d like to prepare for Christmas dinner and then make it together. You can get the kids to lend a helping hand with making whatever it is you decide to serve, such as pie.
20) Create a Christmas Trivia Game
Make your own holiday trivia game to play with the children. Use different questions on Christmas-themed things, such as Frosty the Snowman and Santa Clause, to make it more exciting.
21) Do a Secret Santa
Consider doing a Secret Santa with your closest friends and family. It’s a fun way to buy something special while anticipating a gift from a secret someone.
22) Drive Through the Neighborhood to Look at Christmas Lights
Take a ride through the neighborhood to look at all the holiday lights. It’s so peaceful and relaxing to see what the neighbours have put up this year. Another wonderful tradition that would prepare your family for Christmas is visiting nearby neighborhoods looking out for colourful Christmas lights and decorations.
Start today…
You can start plenty of fun Christmas traditions with your loved ones. If you take the time to start new traditions, you can make countless memories while giving your children the best childhood ever.