Jill A. Chafin
Christmas is all about the memories! It’s never too late to start your own special traditions to help you bond as a family. Here are some popular ideas other families enjoy.
What makes for a good tradition? It’s the little things that stand out, especially as your children grow up. Perhaps you all had matching pj’s or made a special dessert on Christmas Eve when you were a kid. But it doesn’t matter which tradition you establish, as long as it’s meaningful to your family.
Slumber Party
The anticipation of Christmas day can be so exciting for kids they struggle to fall asleep on Christmas Eve. So, why not roll with it and channel all that energy into a fun-filled slumber party?
If they don’t already, perhaps your kids can share a room for the night. Or maybe they can all pile into your room or bed for a giggle-fest. Pull out the sleeping bags, sprawl out any- and everywhere, and read some Christmas books while you all snack on cookies.
Don’t worry, they’ll fall asleep eventually, and then you can sneak out and do the Santa thing.
Tour the Lights
There are so many spectacular Christmas light decorations these days—on houses, in town centers, and at malls. It can be quite magical to spend some time just admiring them. Bundle everyone up and walk around your neighborhood, or hop in the car, and ooh and aah at all the displays.
This can be a great way to slow down as a family, especially if everyone is frazzled from traveling (holiday stress is real). Take some deep breaths, admire the beauty of the lights, and be “in the moment.”
Building these family memories, even in the crisp cold air (if anyone complains, just remind them it builds character), will last a lifetime.
Movie Night
Great Christmas movies like Frosty the Snowman, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are just a few of the classics.
If there’s a flick your entire family loves, make watching it a yearly tradition. Prepare some special treats for the night, like candy popcorn, reindeer cookies, or a big pot of hot cocoa.
Matching Pj’s
If your family likes to relax in pajamas, this is the perfect tradition for you! You’ll find tons of choices our there, but, for the sake of inspiration, here are some whimsical ones:
- Burt’s Bees Red & White Striped Organic Cotton Family Pajamas
- Holiday Elf Pajamas
- Dear Deer Organic Cotton Long John Pajamas
If someone doesn’t like traditional pj’s, that’s okay. You can wear matching t-shirts, socks, or slippers instead. Dearfoams has a whole line of adorable matching slippers perfect for a little holiday fun.
Dearfoams Men's Papa Bear Slipper, faux faux fur Plaid, Large
These "Papa Bear" slippers are just one of the many personalized slippers in their holiday line.
It’s a fun tradition to break out your matching duds and wear them on Christmas Eve. If you want to get more use out of them, go ahead and wear them all week!
Don’t forget to get a few family pics—these years fly by, so you’ll be glad you preserved the memories.
Reverse Advent Tree
For this tradition, you give away one thing every day. You can specify what kind of item by opening an envelope with specific instructions, such as, “Give away a piece of clothing,” or, “Donate a puzzle you don’t use anymore.” You can also donate food.
The idea is to get your kids into the Christmas spirit of giving. You can pack up all the items at the end of each week and make a trip to your local thrift store or donation center.
Another plus is this makes room for new toys if your family is hoarding them—it’s a win-win!
Homemade Christmas Cards
There’s nothing quite like making or receiving a homemade card—older relatives, especially, will love getting a traditional card.
You can save all your traditional Christmas cards from the previous year, cut out the cool pictures and designs, and paste them on construction paper. Fold the paper in half, sprinkle on some glitter, and you’re good to go!
Another idea is to print your favorite family pics and use them to make personalized collage cards.
If you don’t have much time, your kids can make colorful bookmarks or decorate an index card instead. It doesn’t take long to make these little cards, and they’ll warm many hearts this Christmas.
When you create family traditions, it makes Christmastime extra special. It doesn’t matter which activity you choose, as long as it works for your family. The goal is to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy this holiday season.
