Are you looking for fun traditions for Christmas? Here's over 30 best family Christmas traditions that will create magical memories this season with those you love!
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS TRADITION IDEAS
Looking for ideas for Christmas traditions? Christmas time can be so exhausting! However, you don't need expensive or complicated family Christmas traditions to create a meaningful and memorable season.
In fact, creating new Christmas traditions while keeping some of your favorites will help you make lots of memories this Christmas!
BEST CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FOR FAMILIES
Some of the best Christmas traditions for families don't even have to be Christmas specific. Here's a real-life lesson from our family:
On December 23, my husband and my Alma Mater was playing a basketball game. Go Cougars! He really wanted to take our entire family to the game and invites cousins to go along, too.
Immediately, I was like, "Yeah right! We aren't spending the night before Christmas Eve at a BYU basketball game. That is so NOT FESTIVE! And we still have so many Christmas festivities to do."
Well after I let myself cool down a bit, I realized that Christmas is not about WHAT we do per se, but the memories we are creating. So I gave in (with only a slight grudge) and we spent the night at the basketball game.
And you know what? The entire night was actually really fun! Everyone was happy. (How could our children not be happy with all cheering on our team and eating giant cougar tail donuts?)
We listened to Christmas music for an hour in the car, had a really great chat together, and got to make some fun memories with our extended family.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
From this experience I learned that the best Christmas traditions are the ones that bring you together as a family--no matter you are doing.
If everyone is unhappy doing a super festive Christmas outing, will this be a favorite Christmas tradition? No!
How do you choose the best Christmas traditions to start?
- Before December starts, sit down with everyone in your family and prioritize the most important activities and events for everyone.
- Let everyone choose one or more must-do Christmas activities/traditions.
- Mark them on your calendar.
Related: List
FUN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
With that disclaimer out of the way, here's the best Christmas Tradition Ideas to embrace this season. And remember, sometimes the simple Christmas traditions are the most memorable!
1. DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE TOGETHER
One of the top Christmas traditions is decorating the Christmas tree together. Whether you have a real or artificial Christmas tree, decorating the tree with your family can be such a fun way to kick off the Christmas season. Turn on your favorite Christmas tunes, pull out the ornaments and have a ball.
2. READ CHRISTMAS STORIES UNDER THE TREE EACH NIGHT IN DECEMBER.
A simple but good Christmas traditions is to read a Christmas story each night. There is no shortage of great Christmas books so cuddle up the tree each night in December and read a story together. In fact, a Christmas Book Advent Calendar where you wrap up all your Christmas books and open one to read each night.
3. MAKE A FAMILY HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST
Before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season starts, sit down as a family and let everyone choose 1 or 2 activities/traditions that are most important to them. Pen those into your calendar. Any extra time you have for more traditions will just be icing on the cake!
4. WATCH CHRISTMAS MOVIES TOGETHER
These family Christmas ideas don't need any preparation! Print off this Family-Friendly Christmas Movie List and see how many you can watch together throughout the season. Cuddling up on a cold night together is a great way to spend time together.
5. HAVE AN INDOOR PICNIC BY THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Who says picnics are only for summer? Grab a blanket and have an indoor picnic by the Christmas tree!
6. CELEBRATE ADVENT SUNDAYS
This family Christmas tradition is one that will help you slow down and enjoy being together. Get all the details of Advent Sundays here.
7. GIVE THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TO SOMEONE IN NEED
Don't forget to add some meaningful Christmas traditions to your celebrating. This sweet & simple 12 Days of Christmas for neighbors or someone in need will make you feel all good inside.
All the daily poem tags and gift ideas prepared for you, so you can put this together in no time. All the gifts can be found at the grocery or dollar store.
8. CUT DOWN YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE
Look up your local tree cutting farms and make an event out of choosing the tree. If you have Christmas trees growing in the wilderness around you, then you could also make it a fun trip. Although cutting down the tree yourself is a bit of a challenge, it can prove to be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. However, when you finish, make sure the stump that's left is carefully removed by a professional Stump Removal service. Making an activity out of getting your own Christmas tree is a tradition that harks back to the old days, and could provide useful lessons for you and your kids.
9. DECORATE GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Decorating gingerbread or graham cracker houses is a fun Christmas tradition. Pull out a variety of crackers and candies to decorate your own Christmas village.
If it seems too overwhelming to make your own graham cracker houses, buy a pre-made gingerbread house kit.
10. HAND OUT CANDY CANES TO VISITORS
Make everyone who stops by during the Christmas season (and especially children) feel extra welcome by handing out candy canes to visitors. Read all about the candy cane symbolism here. Once you go through this post, you would understand why candy canes are a part of the celebration. You would also understand the value of giving this food item to people, which would, in turn, help you appreciate the culture.
11. SLEEP BY THE TREE ON CHRISTMAS ADAM (DECEMBER 23)
However, if you feel that the displacement is too much, then you can simply purchase pocket-friendly bedding after going through the reviews offered by Sleepify. Keep in mind that this extra bedding can be of use even after Christmas. Wondering how? If you have no in-law suites in your house to accommodate guests, then you can use this bedding for sleeping when there are too many guests in your house. At that time, you would be spared from sleeping on the couch.
Anyway, let us come back to the topic. While sleeping by the Christmas tree, you can watch one of these best family Christmas movies.
12. DO THE 25 DAYS "CHRIST"MAS SCRIPTURE ADVENT CALENDAR
Follow this 25 Days of Christ scripture advent calendar to learn more about Christ each day during December. Burn the advent candle each night as you read about Christ. When the candle is gone, Christmas is here!
13. SEND & DISPLAY CHRISTMAS CARDS
Christmas is a good time to send some old-fashioned snail mail (however, for that you would need to find firms that can offer fast services related to Couriers). Choose a favorite photo from the year and get cards printed fast online. Send them to relatives who you don't see or stay in touch on social media with. This will make them feel loved. The best part is that this surprise will prove that you have not forgotten them. In a nutshell, it can help you to start a conversation with them and offer you an opportunity to stay in touch.
14. CELEBRATE ST. NICHOLAS DAY
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day is not only a fun Christmas tradition, but also has great meaning behind it. Legend has it that St. Nicholas used all of his inheritance to help the poor and needy. He put gold balls in the socks (stockings) of girls who needed a dowry to be married.
The modern day stocking tradition comes from St. Nicholas. Put out your shoes and find little treats and gifts the next morning.
St. Nicholas Day details and ideas here.
15. READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Take time to read Luke 2, the story of Christmas.
Related: Watch The Christ Child
16. DO A WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE AUCTION
Family parties and parties with friends are popular during the holiday season. Turn an ordinary white elephant gift exchange into everyone's favorite Christmas party game by doing a White Elephant Gift Auction. Take one of these white elephant gifts that everyone will want to take home!
17. GET A NEW ORNAMENT FOR THE TREE
Pick out a new ornament for your Christmas tree. It's fun to choose an ornament that represents something that happened during the year.
18. DECORATE WITH NATIVITIES
Besides all the typical Christmas decorations, don't forget to use nativities to decorate as well. Here's a list of kid-friendly nativities (read: they won't break!)
19. HAVE A CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE
Gather with friends for a cookie exchange.
20. GO TO THE MOVIE THEATER ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Going to the movie theater on Christmas Eve is one of those family Christmas traditions everyone can get behind. Instead of running from store to store shopping, have all your shopping done and spend Christmas Eve making memories.
21. MAKE CHRISTMAS ENGLISH TOFFEE
English Toffee is a traditional Christmas treat that everyone loves. It's easy to make and makes great gifts, too! Here's the recipe.
22. GO ICE SKATING OR SLEDDING
For a simple and fun Christmas tradition, go sledding or ice skating together.
23. PLAY CHRISTMAS HAND BELL SONGS FOR THE ELDERLY
Some of the best Christmas traditions are those that are service-oriented. Spread some cheer to the elderly by playing Christmas hand bell songs to them. These Christmas songs are easy enough for beginners!
24. HAVE A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
One of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions is doing a candlelight dinner. Having a nice dinner is a great way to kick off the festivities. We all love eating by candlelight...even if it is pizza!
25. DO YOUR OWN "POLAR EXPRESS" RIDE
One of the most fun family Christmas traditions is to drive to see the Christmas lights in pajamas. A real Polar Express train ride is fun and all, but for a cheaper option, have everyone wear their pyjamas, pile in your family car (if you do not have one yet, then you can purchase one from the likes of buy here pay here dealerships), and drive through the neighborhoods to see Christmas lights. What better way to enjoy the festivities of the season than spending time with your family and sharing the emotion of happiness and love with those who mean the most to you?
Anyway, if you are opting for the train, then taking some Christmas cookies and hot cocoa to end your Polar Express ride will give everyone sweet dreams of the fun night together.
26. ACT OUT THE NATIVITY
Before Santa comes on Christmas Eve, gather your family and act out the nativity story! Use the verses from Luke 2 in the Bible or use this kid-friendly nativity script with songs!
27. WATCH THIS FREE CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
This free online Christmas devotional is perfect for any Christian-- it's a night of wonderful music and Christmas messages that will get you in the Christmas mood at the beginning of the holiday season.
28. ATTEND A CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE
Find the nearest church and attend a Christmas worship service. Find the nearest church to you here.
29. WRITE LETTERS TO SANTA
Use these free Santa letter templates to write a letter Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Send it early or write a letter to Santa and burn it on Christmas Eve like our family does.
30. HAY IN A MANGER CHRISTMAS TRADITION
This fun Christmas traditions will actually inspire kids to be extra nice and helpful during December! Every time a kind deed is done, they get to add a piece of stray to Jesus' manger. The goal is to fill it up before Christmas, so that Jesus has a soft bed to sleep on. Get more details here.
31. HIDE A CHRISTMAS PICKLE (WHAT A FUN CHRISTMAS TRADITION!)
This random but fun Christmas tradition is a favorite among so many families! Grab a famous pickle ornament and hide it in the Christmas tree. The first person to find it on Christmas morning gets an extra present.
32. MAKE BEIGNETS FOR CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
One of our favorite fun Christmas day traditions is to make french beignets for breakfast! You can make these in fun Christmas shapes. Serve them with bacon, egg casserole and hot cocoa for a festive Christmas breakfast!
Which fun new Christmas traditions will you start?
So what are the best Christmas traditions? The best Christmas traditions are the ones that create happy feelings with those you love, no matter which you choose to do.
Let us know what you think!