Kristina

Creating lasting memories during the holiday season can be a joyful family experience. Here are my favorite family Christmas traditions that your children (and you) will cherish for years to come.

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why start family Christmas traditions?

My family has always had Christmas traditions. I will always remember Christmas Eve at my grandma’s house with all of my family. My aunt would help cook, making the house smell amazing. My cousins and I (there were so many of us!) would eat, play, and then open a small gift from grandma and participate in a gift exchange. With a large family, there was hardly room to sit, but it didn’t matter. We just soaked in the laughter, noise, food, and love.

On the ninety-minute drive home, my parents would play Christmas music. We would sing, look at Christmas lights, and keep an eye on the sky in case Santa flew by. At least twice during the drive, my dad would swear that he had seen a flash in the sky, which had to have been Santa’s sleigh. Even as my siblings and I got older, we never grew tired of the tradition.

Now that I am an adult, I cherish those memories. My grandmother left a legacy surrounding family’s importance and the holidays’ true meaning. My parents, aunts, and uncles still plan an annual Christmas party. Though it is no longer on Christmas Eve and not everyone can be there, we all hold on to the joy of being together at the holidays and remembering Grandma’s Christmas.

As my husband and I started our family, we wanted our children to have special memories too. It’s not always the day-to-day events you remember as you grow up. It’s those special occasions and events that can make a lasting impression.

I have been a mother for almost 18 years now and am raising four amazing daughters. I am so happy that we have been able to blend old family Christmas traditions from both my childhood and my husband’s with new ones over the years. Hearing my girls talk about their favorite holiday memories or ask when we will do one of our annual events brings me so much joy!

When do you start family Christmas traditions?

There is no right answer to when you should start your own family Christmas traditions.

No matter how old your children are or what you have done in the past, you can always start a new family Christmas tradition your children will cherish! Don’t feel like you can’t have a tradition because you didn’t start when your children were babies.

My husband always celebrated Christmas Eve with his siblings. Once we were married, there were a few years when we would drive back and forth between Christmas Eve parties.

About eight years ago, my mother-in-law passed the Christmas Eve Party torch to us, and a new tradition was born! Much like my grandmother, we now host a Christmas Eve party where all the cousins can play and open gifts. We have added our own personal touches, including Christmas-themed party games.

While some Christmas traditions are more intentional, others just evolve over the years. However, or whenever, your family Christmas traditions begin is the perfect time!

Choosing Family Christmas Traditions Your Children Will Cherish

There are so many Christmas traditions out there. While some may be common, I hope I have provided a few unique options to inspire you as you create the perfect tradition for your family.

1. Decorating the Christmas Tree

Gathering around the Christmas tree to decorate it together can be a magical experience. Let your children add their own ornaments, from handmade creations to those collected over the years, and watch as their pride grows with each decoration. Share stories behind each ornament, and consider adding a special ornament each year that represents something meaningful from that year, such as a favorite vacation spot or a significant achievement. This can become an annual highlight, as the tree transforms into a beautiful tapestry of your family’s history.

Every year, we give our children one new ornament unique to their interests or accomplishments over the last year. We gave them a large holiday-themed storage box to hold their special ornaments when we started the tradition. Once they grow up and leave home, they will have their own set of personal ornaments to take with them to begin decorating their own trees with keepsakes from their childhood.

When decorating, don’t forget to hang up those stockings too! Putting up the stockings builds excitement and anticipation for Christmas. Our girls love to hang their stockings on the fireplace mantle after finishing the Christmas tree.

After tree decorating, wrap up the day with a special movie. My family always turns off the lights (other than the Christmas tree, of course), makes hot chocolate, and watches “The Polar Express.”

2. Advent Calendar Countdown

An advent calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. You can find calendars filled with chocolates, toys with popular themes such as Bluey, puzzles, and even rubber ducks! Each day, as your children open a new door or box, the anticipation builds excitement and helps create a festive mood throughout December.

You can also incorporate small notes sharing holiday-themed trivia or family memories as you create your own countdown to Christmas.

3. Baking Holiday Treats

Holiday baking is one of my favorite seasonal activities. I always involve my children in baking cookies, gingerbread houses, and other festive treats. This is a great way to teach them baking skills and fills the home with delicious aromas that evoke the holiday spirit!

My girls love to bake with me. They are involved at all stages. My favorite time with my daughters is grabbing our rolling pins, aprons, and cookie cutters. We bake multiple types of cookies throughout the season, but the sugar cookies are their favorites.

When frosting cookies, set up a decorating station with multiple colors of frosting and sprinkles, and let them get creative! After baking, consider packaging some treats to share with neighbors or friends, fostering a sense of community and generosity.

Sitting at the table and frosting sugar cookies is always so much fun! For our house, the messier, the better. Of course, everyone helps Mom clean up at the end. It is so great to see how creative the girls can get.

Some of my most recommended holiday baking items to make with children are:

• Frosted Sugar Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Meringue Wreaths and Christmas Trees
• M&M Cookies
• Puppy Chow
• Holiday Popcorn (popcorn, melted white chocolate, mini M&M’s, and sprinkles)

4. Writing Letters to Santa

Encourage your children to write letters to Santa Claus. This can be a creative exercise where they express their wishes and reflect on the past year. Provide colorful paper, stickers, and fun pens to make it special. You might even arrange for Santa to write a personalized reply, complete with a wax seal or special stamp, to add to the magic.

Keep these letters in a memory box to look back on in the future. One year, Hallmark had a Santa Mailbox ornament with letters and envelopes. It still hangs on our tree every year!

5. Elf on the Shelf

The Elf on the Shelf has become a beloved family Christmas tradition for many families. Our elf, Snowflake, joined our family nearly ten years ago. This whimsical little elf arrives sometime after Thanksgiving or at the beginning of December, serving as Santa’s eyes and ears to monitor children’s behavior leading up to Christmas. Each night, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report back to Santa, and each morning, it finds a new spot in the house, creating a fun scavenger hunt for the kids.

Over the years, our children have written Snowflake letters to take to Santa, made her little homemade gifts, and shared so many giggles while searching for her every morning. While some elves are more adventurous than others, they all have their unique traits and can follow the lead of their families. Now that our oldest girls are almost adults, they enjoy giving Snowflake ideas and helping her to find a landing spot for the next morning for their little sister.

The Elf on the Shelf brings joy and laughter while directly connecting children to the North Pole during the festive season, making it a heartwarming addition to the family’s Christmas traditions.

6. Drive-Through Christmas Light Displays

Take your family on a magical adventure to visit drive-through Christmas light displays. Many towns and cities host elaborate light shows that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. Pack some snacks and hot cocoa, and turn up the holiday music as you drive through tunnels of twinkling lights and festive decorations.

This experience can become a memorable outing, filled with wonder and excitement as you marvel at the creativity and artistry of the displays. Don’t forget to capture the moments with photos, as these outings can become a beloved part of your family’s holiday traditions.

7. Giving Back

Teach your children the joy of giving by participating in a charitable activity. Whether it’s donating toys, helping at a food bank, or creating care packages for those in need, these acts of kindness can instill a sense of gratitude and compassion. Angel Tree programs are also a wonderful way to share blessings with a child in need.

Consider involving your children in choosing the charity or cause so they feel connected to the giving process. If your way of giving back involves shopping for others, take your children with you. Give them a budget and let them try to find the most meaningful items they can. Not only does it help improve budgeting skills, but it will let them feel the joy of giving. This is one of those family Christmas traditions that can become a powerful lesson in empathy and the importance of helping others.

8. Holiday Movie Marathon

Set aside a day or evening for a holiday movie marathon. Let each family member choose their favorite Christmas movie, from classics like “Home Alone” and “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” to newer favorites like “Elf.” Grab some popcorn, hot chocolate, and cozy blankets, and settle in for a festive film night. This can become a much-anticipated event each year, complete with a themed snack that ties into the movies being watched.

9. Visiting a Christmas Market

If there’s a Christmas market nearby, take a family outing to explore the stalls, enjoy some festive treats like warm pretzels or hot cider, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa. A market’s sights, sounds, and smells can create a wonderful holiday atmosphere filled with laughter and excitement. Allow your children to pick out a small souvenir or treat as a reminder of the day spent together.

Several towns will also host a holiday festival. Check to see what events are happening in your area. Sometimes, these include meet-and-greets with Santa, the Grinch, and more.

10. Creating Handmade Gifts

Engage your children in making handmade gifts for family members. Whether it’s crafting ornaments, painting, or baking, these personalized gifts can become treasured keepsakes. Set up a crafting station with supplies and let their creativity shine. There are so many options for different age ranges. Try creating a reindeer or Christmas tree out of a painted handprint or using paint to make fingerprint “lightbulbs” on an ornament. For older children, try a beaded ornament kit.

If you want a fun and inexpensive craft, try my recipe for making Cinnamon Dough Ornaments! These are super cute, smell amazing, and are easy for little helpers.

This teaches children the value of giving from the heart and encourages them to think about what their loved ones would appreciate as they create something unique and meaningful.

11. Family Game Night

Preparing for the holidays can become hectic. During the holiday season, dedicate an evening to a family game night. Choose festive games like Christmas trivia or holiday charades, or bring out the classic board games everyone loves.

For the younger children, Go Fish! is a great option. Our older girls enjoy playing Christmas-Opoly, a holiday version of Monopoly. This is perfect for those days when it is just too cold to go outside, and you have some time!

This time together encourages laughter, bonding, and a break from the holiday hustle. Consider including a prize for the winner to add an extra layer of fun, and let the kids take turns hosting each year.

12. Christmas Pajamas and Ornament

On Christmas Eve, start a delightful tradition by gifting your children special keepsake ornaments each year. Choose ornaments that reflect their interests, milestones, or family memories, creating a unique collection that they can cherish as they grow older. As they hang the new ornament on the tree, share stories about its significance, reinforcing the memories associated with it.

In addition to the ornament, make it one of your family Christmas Traditions to give everyone cozy Christmas pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. After a festive dinner, everyone can change into their new pajamas for a family movie night or story time. This cozy attire adds to the festive spirit and makes for adorable family photos that you can look back on for years.

13. Christmas Eve Story Time

Reading a Christmas story together on Christmas Eve can become a cherished tradition. Choose a classic like “The Night Before Christmas” or discover a new holiday tale that resonates with your family. Create a cozy atmosphere with blankets, hot cocoa, and twinkling lights. This quiet moment together can be a lovely way to wind down before the excitement of Christmas morning, fostering a sense of peace and togetherness.

If you are a family that loves to read, add a Christmas book to bedtime stories every evening in December. We have collected several over the years and always build up to “The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve.

14. Putting Out Milk and Cookies for Santa

One of the most cherished traditions on Christmas Eve is putting out milk and cookies for Santa Claus. Encourage your children to participate in this delightful ritual by selecting their favorite cookies and pouring a glass of milk. You can even make it a fun family activity by baking the cookies together earlier in the day. As they prepare the special treat, remind them that this gesture is a way to show appreciation for Santa’s hard work delivering gifts.

Once the cookies and milk are set out, gather around for a bedtime story or holiday movie to build excitement for Christmas morning. Before they go to bed, let them know Santa loves seeing their creative ideas. Some families even add a carrot for Rudolph, making it a complete snack for Santa and his reindeer. This small act of kindness creates magical memories that children will carry with them for years to come.

15. Bonus Parent Tradition – Christmas Wrapping Date Night

With so much focus on family memories surrounding your children, don’t forget to take time as parents or as the adults in the home to soak up a few peaceful moments with each other. One way to do this is to set aside an evening after the kids are in bed to sit and wrap presents together.

My husband and I do this at least once every holiday season. After the girls are all settled in for the evening, we break out the card tables in the living room, put on our favorite holiday movies, pour a drink of choice, and sit and wrap presents together.

This is an excellent time for us to catch up and enjoy each other’s company while preparing for Christmas.

Getting ready to start your family Christmas traditions

Starting any of these Christmas traditions will provide your children with holiday memories they will cherish for a lifetime. Each activity not only enhances the spirit of the season but also fosters connection, creativity, and joy within the family. As your children experience these cherished rituals, they will carry the warmth and excitement of these moments into their adult lives, creating a legacy of love and togetherness.

Whether it’s the joy of decorating the tree, the anticipation of the advent calendar, or the laughter shared during game night, these experiences will shape their holiday spirit and become stories they share with their own families one day. Embrace these traditions, and watch your children create a treasure trove of memories that will bring them joy for years.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!