When you think about Christmas, what memories do you have? The presents you received? The meals you had? The time spent with family? For me, I can only remember two gifts from when I was a kid – the Lion King VHS (yes, I know I am dating myself here) and a plastic playhouse. What I remember most is feeling the holiday spirit. Candlelit service at church. Seeing my cousins. Standing in my backyard looking for Santa’s sleigh. Breakfast with Santa. Throwing tinsel on the tree.
Beyond the fleeting gifts and festive meals, there’s a deep comfort in the things you do every year. These routines, or family holiday traditions, are the backbone of lasting memories and a strong family bond.
My own family anchors our season around several cherished moments: Christmas Eve Church Service, taking the trolley through the Night of Lights display, hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and our annual trek to pick out a live Christmas tree.
Here are some of the best family holiday traditions to start with your loved ones this year.
I. Creative Christmas Traditions: Decorating & Keepsakes
Make your decorating process a memorable family event with these simple new holiday traditions:
- The Annual Ornament Ritual: Don’t just decorate—collect. Every year, buy or make a new ornament that represents a major event, milestone, or fun event from the past year. This is one of the best traditions to start with kids; every year you are opening a box full of memories.
- DIY Ornament Night: Dedicate a specific craft night to making homemade Christmas ornaments together. Put on holiday music, set out the supplies (salt dough, glitter, beads), and create lasting, tangible memories.
- Gingerbread Decorating Contest: Host a family competition to build and decorate the best gingerbread house. This is a festive and fun tradition that guarantees laughs and smiles.
II. Meaningful Traditions: Giving Back and Gratitude
Focusing on others deepens the spirit of the season. These are excellent family traditions for teaching gratitude.
- Adopt a Family or Giving Tree: Go shopping together to select gifts for a child or family in need. This is a powerful, hands-on way to focus on the joy of giving. Our church has the Operation Christmas Child boxes which are an easy way to make a difference.
- Random Acts of Holiday Kindness: Create a family checklist of kind deeds to accomplish throughout December, such as paying for someone’s coffee, delivering treats to neighbors, or donating to a local food bank.
- The Gratitude Reflection: During your holiday meal, take a moment for each person to share one thing they were genuinely thankful for from the past year.
III. Cozy Holiday Traditions: Food & Entertainment
Some of the best Christmas memories are made when everyone slows down and gets cozy together.
- Matching PJ Party on Christmas Eve: Kick off the festive evening by unwrapping new, matching family pajamas! Wear them to bed and wake up to adorable, coordinated Christmas morning photos. This doesn’t just have to be Christmas Eve. I’m thinking about making it a tradition every Friday during November and December in our house.
- Holiday Movie Marathon: Choose a specific weekend night, make a homemade hot cocoa bar, and marathon all your family’s favorite classic Christmas movies.
- The Christmas Eve One-Gift Rule: Allow everyone to open just one small gift on Christmas Eve. It’s often the new pajamas, but it can also be a special holiday book or board game to enjoy that night.
- Cookie Baking Day: Pick one day to focus solely on baking and decorating an endless supply of holiday cookies. Be sure to save some to deliver to friends and neighbors!
IV. Family History & Bonding Traditions
These holiday traditions help connect the generations and create a sense of history.
- The Recipe Hand-Off: Each year, task one family member (especially younger ones) with cooking or baking a family holiday recipe. This ensures food traditions are passed down.
- Annual Photo Session: Take one simple, annual family photo in front of the tree or fireplace. Over the years, this collection will become one of your most cherished possessions.
- Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 books (new or old favorites!) and open one each night leading up to Christmas Eve for a special bedtime story.
- The Memory Jar: Throughout the holiday season, write down funny quotes, sweet moments, or memories on small slips of paper and drop them in a jar. Read them all aloud on New Year’s Eve.
Start Your New Family Tradition Today
The simplest traditions are often the ones that stick. The secret is to choose activities that bring genuine joy and involve the whole family. Be consistent, year after year, and watch these moments transform into treasured Christmas memories.
What new family holiday tradition are you adding to your calendar this year? Share your plans in the comments!
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