How to start family traditions around Christmas
Creating meaningful family traditions around Christmas can help strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and give everyone something to look forward to each year. Here are some fresh ideas for starting your own unique family traditions:
1. Christmas Eve Storytelling or Movie Night
Create a cozy, family-centered tradition where everyone gathers on Christmas Eve to share stories from past holidays, read classic Christmas tales, or watch a favorite holiday movie. To make it more special, you could even choose a movie or story that has a personal connection to your family history or cultural traditions. Over the years, this could evolve into a cherished ritual that unites the family with nostalgia and warmth.
2. Handmade Ornament Exchange
Each year, have every family member create a handmade ornament to add to the tree. This could be anything from a simple painted craft to a more elaborate keepsake that represents something special from that year. Over time, your tree will be filled with ornaments that reflect family growth, changes, and memories. These ornaments become priceless heirlooms, telling the story of your family’s Christmases.
3. Christmas Morning Breakfast Buffet
Start a tradition of having a special breakfast buffet on Christmas morning. It could include everyone’s favorite foods or themed dishes, like pancakes shaped like Christmas trees or cinnamon rolls with red and green sprinkles. If you want to get more creative, you could have a "Christmas morning cook-off" where each family member makes one dish. It sets a fun, festive tone for the rest of the day.
4. 12 Days of Christmas Acts of Kindness
Starting December 13th, incorporate the idea of spreading kindness into your holiday season. Each day, your family can do something kind for others—whether it’s delivering cookies to a neighbor, helping a stranger, or volunteering together. This teaches children the importance of generosity and empathy, while also keeping the focus on giving rather than receiving.
5. Christmas Charity Gift Drive
Create a tradition of donating to those in need during the Christmas season. Have your family gather together to pick a charity or community cause, and then spend a day shopping for gifts or essentials to donate. It could be toys for children, clothes for the homeless, or food for families in need. Involve kids by having them select gifts themselves, teaching them the value of giving back.
6. Personalized Advent Calendar
Instead of a traditional Advent calendar, design a personalized one with activities or small gifts that hold significance for your family. Each day leading up to Christmas could feature a different activity—like baking cookies together, singing Christmas carols, or taking a family walk in the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights. This not only builds anticipation but also strengthens family bonds through shared activities.
7. Themed Christmas Tree Decorations
Instead of the traditional tree decorations, create an annual theme for how the tree will be decorated. For example, one year it could be "Rustic Country Christmas," another year could be "Glamorous Gold," or "Winter Wonderland." As a family, choose the theme together and then spend time crafting or buying decorations that fit. It adds creativity and personal flair to the celebration.
8. Family Christmas Wish Box
Create a “Christmas Wish Box” where family members can write down their wishes for the year—these could be for things they hope to achieve, dreams they want to realize, or things they’re grateful for. On Christmas Eve, read them aloud and reflect on the previous year. It's a wonderful way to connect, and it gives a sense of hope and purpose for the year ahead.
9. Memory Jar for the Year
Encourage family members to write down happy moments, achievements, or things they’re grateful for throughout the year, and place them in a jar. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, gather together and take turns reading the memories aloud. It’s a beautiful way to reflect on the positive moments of the year and highlight the things that truly matter.
10. Christmas Day Hike or Nature Walk
If your family enjoys spending time outdoors, consider starting a tradition of a Christmas Day hike or nature walk. After opening gifts and enjoying breakfast, head out for a scenic walk or hike in your area. Whether it’s a forest, beach, or local park, this gives your family time to connect with nature and each other, while also balancing the busy, commercialized aspects of the holiday with peaceful moments of reflection.
11. Christmas "DIY" Gift Making Session
Instead of relying on store-bought gifts, dedicate a day before Christmas to make DIY gifts for each other. This could be anything from homemade candles, knitted scarves, personalized photo frames, or even a scrapbook of shared memories. Handmade gifts carry a personal touch and can become keepsakes for years to come, making the tradition even more meaningful.
12. Christmas Morning Scavenger Hunt
Kick off Christmas Day with a fun, family-oriented scavenger hunt. Before the gift-opening begins, hide small gifts, treats, or clues around the house for your family to find. This adds an element of adventure and excitement to the morning. For an extra twist, the hunt can lead to a larger family gift or a special activity to enjoy together.
Conclusion
The beauty of creating your own Christmas traditions is that they can reflect your family's unique personality, values, and interests. Start small, experiment, and make adjustments over the years as the family grows. The goal is to build something meaningful that everyone looks forward to every holiday season. With a little creativity and intentionality, your Christmas traditions will become a treasured part of your family's legacy.
