Christmas is really the most wonderful time of the year for me. There’s just something about the sparkle of Christmas lights and the chill in the air. Family Christmas traditions really make the holiday season a bit more special!
As a kid Christmas was magical.
We had tons of family over. Lots of food. And of course,we had presents!
One tradition we did with my parents was setting up the tree together. My Dad loved getting a real tree for Christmas. We’d go down pick the tree together and go home and set it up.
I loved it! One year, the tree somehow broke the back window of our SUV. Needless to say, my mom wasn’t happy. She didn’t like having a real tree to begin with.
But, I think it makes a fun story to tell!
This is why I think family traditions are so important.
Traditions take time and commitment. This time together builds a bond that weaves us closer together. We can look back upon these memories and laugh about the funny things that happened. Christmas traditions make the holiday more magical and give your family something to look forward to.
I think, as moms we can get overwhelmed with trying to make everything Pinterest-perfect for our families. And while there is nothing wrong with wanting everything a certain way, it’s also nice to remember that we canmake memories with our kids by doing the simplest of things.
I want to give you a list of holiday traditions you can start with your family that won’t overwhelm you. In fact, these ideas are fun and easy to do and are sure to save you from a mental break down this holiday season! 😉
Easy and fun Christmas Traditions
- Simmer down with the ELF—I love this post by Hannah—you’ll be delighted to read her #momhack for dealing with Elf on the Shelf.
- Hot cocoa bar – This is the easiest thing in the world and my kids LOVE it. I buy a container of hot chocolate and we top our cups with either whip cream or marshmallows. Nothing fancy. The kids are allowed to have hot chocolate whenever, as long as they clean up after themselves. Once Christmas is over the hot cocoa bar gets put away. This makes it special for my kids because they know during the holiday season (starts the day after Thanksgiving for us) they can have unlimited hot cocoa!
- Listen to Christmas music. I love Christmas music. I can listen to it all day long. I use my amazon prime membership –link and have the music app on my phone. Voila—Christmas music on demand. I wake up and turn it on while we get ready in the morning.
- Family movie night. Super simple just add in Christmas movies and maybe some hot cocoa? Blankets and comfy pjs make this even better. We like to watch The Grinch , and It’s A Wonderful Life, and The Santa Clause.
- Decorate the tree together.
- Make one homemade ornament a year. We made these salt dough ornaments last year. I LOVED seeing them this year when we decorated the tree together.
- Drive or walk around the neighborhood admiring Christmas lights. We like to listen to Christmas music when doing this. Take a vote on the best decorated house.
- Build a gingerbread house. We got this one from Trader Joe’s.
- Check out holiday lights around your city.
- Bake cookies together.
- Take a family holiday picture. You’ll love seeing how much the kids have grown each year!
- Volunteer or give back. Pick an organization that could use holiday help and volunteer as family. Or shop together for gifts to donate to local toy drive.
- Give the kids a Christmas Eve box. I love doing this for my kids each year. I wrap up a new book, comfy pjs and some snacks and let them open this gift on Christmas Eve.
- Countdown to Christmas with an Advent Calendar or create one yourself.
- Surprise your neighbors with treats.
- Camp out by the tree. Some of my favorite memories as a kid are of sleeping next to the Christmas tree.
- Play Christmas Bingo.
- Read Christmas themed books together.
- Shop for 1 outdoor Christmas decoration each year. This was my son’s idea. He said we should decide as a family on one décor item for outside and each year do it together.
- Prepare a traditional dish from your culture. This year we’re making tamales and empanadas.
- Do some Christmas crafts together. Here are a few ideas .
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Sign up below and you’ll get access to the printable. I created a checklist of fun ideas for your Christmas traditions and page 2 has room for you to write in your own ideas!
Christmas Activities!
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I Love the idea of volunteering/giving back!! This is also definitely my favourite time to get cosy with family and watch a film!
Thanks Kiarna!