Christmas Traditions

Food, games, books, activities...there are a lot of different types of Christmas traditions. My family tries to focus our activities around Jesus. We also like to do things like gingerbread houses, and advent calendars.

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Here are a few ideas of other traditions you could start!

1. Make Your Own Christmas Cards - Get out the glue, glitter, colored paper and let your whole family take part in making the cards.

2. Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree - If you live where this is feasible, this is such a memorable way to get your tree every year! Bring hot cider or hot chocolate. Sing carols as you search through the mountaint. Have a snowball fight. Make it a fun event for the family!

3. Make a Gingerbread House - You can go all out and make the gingerbread and special frosting, buy a kit, or go the super easy route and use graham crackers and store-bought frosting. (Sure it will fall apart easily, but it will still be tasty and fun!)

4. Open a Christmas Eve Gift - I know a lot of people have the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. It can be Christmas jammies, a game, a puzzle, or Lego sets. Make it fun! You could create a scavenger hunt to lead everyone to their gift!

5. Christmas Movie - Keep it simple and cuddle up for your favorite Christmas movie.

6. Christmas Lights - Drive around as a family looking at all of the Christmas lights on the houses and businesses. Most communities have some houses that go all out with a light show!

7. Christmas the UK Way - Add a little British flavor and break Christmas Crackers! You can find some here: https://amzn.to/3ESzS4H #sponsored

8. Christmas Games - Play Christmas-themed Charades or Pictionary.

9. Make Your Nativity Come to Life - Instead of setting it out all at once. Set it out a piece each day as you read about the Christmas story. Talk about the wise men's journey, The angel appearing to the shepherds, and each aspect of the awe-inspiring event.

10. Secret Nativity Gift - I have heard of some families that purchase a Nativity and wrap each piece individually. They secretly deliver a piece accompanied with a scripture each night to their selected recipient. You can select a family that is having a difficult time, a widow/widower, or anyone else you think could use a thoughtful gesture.

11. Family Recipe - Make a family recipe together. Maybe it is one that has been passed down for generations. If you do not have any, then start one!

12. Hide the Pickle Ornament - This one was new to me... You have a pickle ornament that gets hidden on the tree Christmas morning. The first person to find it gets to open the first present. This one could get a little crazy though with rambunctious kids!

13. Christmas Books - I have heard of families who wrap several Christmas storybooks. They open one each night and read them together to help countdown to Christmas.

14. Popocorn Garland - Make a popcorn garland with your kids! It would be a fun activity to do together and a decoration they can enjoy making.

15. Homemade Wrapping Paper - Wrap presents in plain brown paper wrap, then let your kids decorate the paper!

16. Christmas Eve Game or Puzzle - You could buy a new game or puzzle each year that you unwrap on Christmas Eve to help pass the time.

17. Make a Non-Traditional Tree - You can stack books and cover them in lights, or decorate an old ladder with ornaments. I saw a picture of someone that covered a play teepee with garland, lights, and ornaments making it look like an open tree. Then they set up a cozy place for their kids inside of it!

18. Family Memories - Take a walk down memory lane and look at pictures from past Christmases.

19. Decorate Your Mailbox - How fun would it be to drive down a street with all the mailboxes decorated? Decorate yours and see if the festive attitude spreads to your neighbors!

20. Include the Family Pet - I know a lot of people out there love their pets! Make it a tradition to dress yours up for the family Christmas party!

I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions! Please share them in the comments!