30+ Best Family Christmas Traditions
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Are you looking for a fun and unique family Christmas tradition? Maybe you want to spice up your holiday festivities. If that is you, then keep reading as I list over 30 fun filled family Christmas traditions that you can start this year!
Finding a new family Christmas tradition-
1. New Christmas Ornament
This is one of my favorite family Christmas traditions that my husband and I started on our first Christmas. Ever year we head to the Hallmark store and pick out an ornament that represents something that happened that year.
This year we chose an adorable little house that says “First Home” since we bought our first house this year!
2. Traditional Ornament Craft
I must admit that I failed at the traditional ornament making this year. All the “Instagram Moms” were posting their beautiful pictures of handmade dried orange garland. Due to an unforeseen kitchen mishap, my oranges turned a lovely shade of burnt.
Don’t let my failure deter you! Give traditional ornament making a try! There are so many options including: garland, popcorn strings, scented pinecones, and salt dough ornaments.
3. Caroling
Consider taking your kids around the neighborhood and let them carol as you stroll along the sidewalks. If walking in the freezing cold isn’t your thing, you can always sing carols from your car with your windows down and your heat on full blast.
4. Christmas Baking
An absolute must for any family is baking! You don’t have to be an amazing baker either! You can always buy the pre-made cookie dough from your grocery store and have fun decorating the cookies once they are ready.
To make this tradition even more memorable, consider baking enough goodies to pass out to your neighbors and extended family. I think you will find that spreading the holiday cheer will bring you even more joy than the baking itself!
5. Shepherd on the Search
This will be a new family Christmas tradition that we begin next year when our daughter is a little older! I love that the Shepherd on the Search points little ones to the true meaning of Christmas.
This set includes a hardcover storybook, keepsake Nativity box, and a plush shepherd doll.
6. Christmas Music Playlist
I absolutely adore Christmas music, and could definitely listen to it year around. If you are like me, go ahead and start curating your Christmas playlist! These are some of my personal favorites.
- Christmas Canon- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- All I Want for Christmas- Mariah Carey
- White Christmas- Michael Bublé (If you are a Michael Bublé fan then do yourself a favor and grab this album.)
7. Act Out the Nativity Story
This is such a cute family Christmas tradition! I have so many fond memories of creating and acting out plays with my sister. Not only does this tradition point your family to the true meaning of Christmas, it also fosters great creative play!
8. Give to Others
“… It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35
Consider choosing an angel from your Salvation Army’s Christmas tree. Or find a suitable charity to make a donation to.
9. Christmas Movie Marathon
Let’s see. Where to begin? There are so many great family Christmas movies! Some of our favorites are:
10. Homemade Hot Cocoa
I started making homemade hot chocolate this year, and I am not sure if I can ever go back! It is so easy to make and would also make a great gift. This is the recipe that I like to make.
11. Bake Dog Treats
I know so many of my friends that are animal lovers (I am too.) Baking dog treats is a great family Christmas tradition that spreads the holiday spirit to our four-legged friends. Here is a super easy and simple recipe you can use!
12. Decorate Stockings
I teach a Sunday School class at my church and this is a Christmas craft that each of my students like to participate in!
You really only need a few supplies:
13. Handprint Tree Skirt
I so want to start this tradition! It seems like a fairly simple craft. Let me know if you decide to try this tradition next year!
14. Christmas Parade
Most towns have a Christmas parade. If your town doesn’t check out the events page on Facebook to see if a neighboring town does!
15. 12 Days of Christmas Books
You might not have 25 Christmas books, but you could start with twelve! Here are three books that I recommend to start off your collection! Beginning twelve days before Christmas, choose one book each day to read before bedtime.
16. Christmas Eve Pajama Box
This is definitely a family Christmas tradition that I will start when my little girl gets a bit older. I love the idea of my daughter opening a special present to get her prepared for the big day!
17. Shop Local
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the online shopping world. If you get a chance, head to a local shop near you and purchase one or two things. Most of those local shops are small businesses owned by your neighbors, friends, or family. I know that it would mean so much to them if you chose to buy something from their shop during this holiday season!
18. Christmas Train Experience
You may be lucky enough to live near a holiday train experience! I am super excited that there is a Polar Express Train in Oklahoma City, which you can find more info about here.
We are also lucky enough to have a holiday train that comes through our area each year and is free for the kids to walk through and enjoy!
19. Family Memory Jar
There are two ways to do this. You can collect memories throughout the year or during the month of December.
Have each family member take turns writing a special memory on a slip of paper. At the end of December, or on Christmas Eve night, read through the memories together. You will have a great time reminiscing over the past year!
20. Cut down a real Christmas tree
I must admit, there is nothing quite like a real Christmas tree. Maybe your family won’t make this a yearly tradition but consider having a real tree at least once!
Pair a real Christmas tree with some of the traditional ornament ideas that I listed above to complete your quaint and cozy Christmas theme.
21. Decorate as a Family
Even your toddler can help with this activity! Choose plastic ornaments to minimize the breaking!
22. Read the book of Luke
This is the first year that my husband and I have read through the entire book of Luke during Christmas time. I have found so much joy in focusing on Jesus during this season. I know that we will continue on the family Christmas tradition for many years to come.
If committing to reading the entire book of Luke sounds too daunting, then I suggest reading through Luke chapter 2.
23. Attend Christmas Eve Service
If our church held Christmas Eve service we would definitely attend!
24. Sing Christmas songs celebrating Jesus’s bith
This is a little different than caroling. Choose to enjoy your favorite Christmas songs that focus on Jesus within your own home. Our favorites include O Holy Night, What Child is This, and Mary Did You Know.
25. Volunteer
The holidays are a busy time for most people but organizations are still looking for volunteers to help at this time of year! You may find that one of your most cherished family Christmas traditions is volunteering for others.
What better way to show God’s love than to give to those that may never be able to give back?
26. Send Christmas Cards
Some of the loneliest people are those residing in our nation’s nursing homes. A simple Christmas card with a handwritten note could be the one thing that brings a little cheer to an elder’s heart.
You can find an adorable set of classic Christmas cards here.
27. Felt Christmas Tree Craft
I love the idea of creating a super toddler friendly Christmas tree that they can decorate and re-decorate over and over again. One of the great things about felt is that it folds up and stores nicely.
You can get a felt Christmas tree kit here.
If you would rather DIY it then check out the video below!
28. Nativity Scene
Setting up the Nativity with your family is a great way to turn the focus of Christmas onto Jesus. As you place each figure, explain to your children what Jesus did for them when He came to Earth.
I think this adorable Little People Nativity Set is the perfect addition to our family Christmas traditions. Plus it is toddler friendly!
29. Christmas Lights
Of course, you can’t forget a trip to your local Christmas light show!
We have been to several light shows, including one that was over two hours away. This year we chose to keep it simple and stayed local. Either way, your family is sure to enjoy the beautiful lights!
30. Advent Devotional
There are a few advent devotional recommendations that I have received. I am most looking forward to checking out Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas.
31. Advent Calendar
This year was my first year to let my daughter have her own advent calendar. We chose a simple chocolate advent calendar which she absolutely loves. Here are some of my favorite calendars that will fit the whole family!
I hope you enjoy your new family Christmas traditions. Let me know what you plan on adding to your Christmas fesitivies!
Also if you are looking for toddler-friendly gift ideas you can head over here. If you have an expecting or new mother on your Christmas list then you have to check out my list of new mom essentials right here!
Great Blog!!! Have added you to my fav. list. God bless!