11 Sweet Family Christmas Traditions You Can Start This Year
If I’ve learned one thing after being a mom of 3 for nine years now, it’s that it is never too late to start a tradition! In this blog, get 11 sweet family Christmas traditions you can start whenever it feels right for you.
Family Christmas traditions are really fun and also so important! If you’re thinking you have older kids and you can’t start a tradition now, let me be completely honest: it’s just not true! It is never too late to start a tradition. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, traditions can create lasting memories and strengthen your family bond. And Christmas is a perfect time to start new family traditions that can bring joy for years to come. In this blog, I’ll share 11 simple and sweet Christmas traditions you can start this year no matter how old your kids are. Plus keep reading for tips on how to begin and maintain them!
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Why Family Christmas Traditions Matter
Before we dive into some great Christmas tradition ideas, let’s talk about why they matter in the first place. Ultimately, family traditions serve as the glue that binds families together through shared experiences. During the busy holiday season, traditions help us slow down and connect. Here are 4 reasons why they’re so special:
1. Creating a sense of belonging:
Traditions give your children a sense of identity and security. And as your kids grow, this will become more important than ever! They need to know that no matter what else is happening, these moments with family are not only continuous, but sacred.
2. Strengthening family bonds:
Family Christmas traditions offer time together to connect on a deeper level. They can help your family build a sense of unity and love.
3. Carving out meaningful time together:
In a world of busy schedules, and never-ending to-do lists, traditions ensure that family gets priority! They allow everyone to check in with each other and cherish the moments together.
4. Building memories that last a lifetime:
The memories created through your family traditions often become stories retold for generations. These moments become woven into the fabric of your family history and can last throughout the next generations as well. How special is that?
How to Start Your Family Christmas Traditions
I know starting a new tradition may feel really intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Below a super simple process you can follow step-by-step to start your family tradition with confidence this year.
1. Think about your family’s values and interests
What brings everyone in your family joy and excitement? What activities make your family feel connected? Use this as inspiration. Write it down so you can brainstorm some new ideas.
2. Start small and simple
Your traditions don’t have to be these big glamorous and extravagant events. It’s okay to begin with something easy, like baking cookies together or having a family movie night. In fact, these simply activities will probably end up being the favorite traditions!
3. Be flexible
If one idea doesn’t work out as planned, don’t be afraid to tweak or change it to fit your family’s needs. Don’t get down on yourself if something didn’t work out. A tradition won’t stick if it isn’t fun or it’s too hard to accomplish.
4. Stay consistent
The key to traditions is repetition. When you find something that works for you and your family, you must also make sure it’s something you can stick to each year. Whether it’s big or small, consistently doing this every year is the key to creating your tradition!
11 Sweet Family Christmas Traditions You Can Start This Year
Now that you know why you should start a tradition no matter your children’s ages and how to get started, let’s dive into 11 sweet family tradition ideas you can start this holiday season! Family time is extremely beneficial, so chose a few of these ideas and make it happen. There’s nothing better or more important that having fun and being present with your family, especially during this special time of year!
1. Christmas Eve Box
Create a box for each family member to open on Christmas Eve. This could include cozy Christmas pajamas, a holiday-themed book or movie, and some snacks like hot chocolate and cookies. It’s nothing over the top, but it’s the perfect way to wind down before the excitement of Christmas Day!
2. Holiday Baking Day
Set aside a day each December to bake Christmas treats together, because who doesn’t love treats?! Let your kids pick a recipe, mix ingredients, and decorate cookies. Not only do you create tasty treats, but you’re also crafting sweet memories in the kitchen. If baking isn’t your thing, you can buy pre-made dough and cookie cutters. Roll out the dough and create Christmas-designed cookies then decorate those!
3. Countdown to Christmas with an Advent Calendar
Having an Advent Calendar as a child is one of my favorite Christmas memories. And now I enjoy creating one for my kids. You can buy a reusable advent calendar to fill up with your things or you can grab a one-time, pre-made candy filled one! If you’re creating your own you can fill it with small surprises or even daily activities like going to cut down a Christmas tree, singing carols, or doing something kind for others. They don’t all need to be filled with things if that’s not your style.
4. Decorate the Tree as a Family
Make decorating your Christmas tree a special event. Do this by, playing some Christmas music, drinking some hot cocoa, and letting everyone contribute to the decorating process. Who cares if your Christmas tree doesn’t look “Pinterest Worthy” that’s not the point! The point is decorating together with old ornaments, school-made ornaments and doing it as a family. Bonus tradition if you add buying or making a new ornament each year to represent something meaningful from that year!
5. Write Letters to Santa
Set aside a day where your kids can write letters to Santa. This tradition is a sweet way to capture their Christmas wishes and the true wonder of the time of year. Plus you’ll be able to see how their handwriting and dreams change over the years. How sweet is that?!
6. Christmas Lights Drive
This was another one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time when I was a kid. Choose a night close to Christmas where everyone piles into the car, maybe even wearing cozy PJs, and drives around to admire the best holiday lights in your neighborhood/city. You could even bring along some hot chocolate and enjoy the festive glow!
7. Giving Back Together
Make giving back part of your holiday tradition. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, making care packages, or donating toys, teaching children the spirit of giving is a beautiful gift in itself and it’s super important. I always talk to my kids about other children who may not have as much as us and it’s important to donate some of our nicer, old toys to those families.
8. Christmas Movie Marathon
Pick a weekend day in December to have a Christmas movie marathon! Watch all the classics like Home Alone, Elf, or The Polar Express, and cuddle up together with popcorn, blankets, and a Christmas treat. This is bound to be a favorite tradition, I’m sure! Pick new movies to watch each year too.
9. Christmas Ornament Crafting
Spend an afternoon making homemade Christmas ornaments. Each family member can create their own unique ornament that you’ll add to the tree each year. As your children grow, so will your collection of sentimental, handmade ornaments. You can also buy pre-made ornaments at Walmart or Target and paint them together. Or maybe make an ornament using a family photo and watch how your family changes each year!
10. Story Time by the Tree
On Christmas Eve or any evening during the season, gather around the Christmas tree and read a holiday story. You could read The Night Before Christmas, The Grinch, or any favorite holiday book. Make it a peaceful, memorable tradition by reading by the soft lights of your Christmas tree.
11. New Year’s Eve Reflection and Wishes
After Christmas, take time as a family to reflect on the year and your favorite parts about Christmas Day. Then write down your wishes or goals for the next year/Christmas season. You can keep these notes in a jar and read them the next New Year’s Eve to see what came true!
How to Keep Up with Your Traditions
It’s one thing to start a tradition, but keeping up with it is just as important. Here’s how you can make sure your new traditions stick year after year:
Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep traditions simple so that they don’t feel like a burden.
Be consistent but flexible. Life happens! If one year you need to skip or modify a tradition, that’s okay. The goal is to build memories, not stress!
Involve the whole family. When everyone contributes ideas and gets excited about the tradition, it’s more likely to stick.
Document your traditions. Take lots of photos or keep a journal/scrapbook of your family traditions. Looking back on those memories will motivate you to keep them alive year after year.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of traditions is that they can begin at any time. Whether your children are young or growing fast, it’s never too late to start something new that will bring your family closer together during the holidays. Choose the traditions that resonate most with your family, and watch them bring joy, connection, and cherished memories year after year.
What matters most isn’t how elaborate or perfect the tradition is, but the love and togetherness it fosters. So, get cozy, embrace the season, and let the magic of Christmas traditions warm your family for years to come! Let me know in the comment section below your favorite idea and what you want to start this holiday season!
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