Searching For Some Fun Family Christmas Traditions To Start?
Well, look no further…We’ve got you covered.
We’ve done the legwork for you and have found a ton of awesome family Christmas traditions that you may want to start for your own family. Some are funky and fun, while some are sweet and sentimental.
The one thing they have in common is keeping the magic of Christmas alive. Wouldn’t it be something if some of these traditions you start with your own kids get passed down for generations to come?
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Some of these are ones I remember from my own childhood, and some are new ones that I think would be a lot of fun to try!
40 Fun Memory-Making Family Christmas Traditions
1. Visit With Santa (EARLY)
Ok, this one is possibly the most practical on the list. Beat the crowds when you bring your little ones for their visit with Santa by going early in the season.
Whether it be at your local department store or mall, waiting in line for hours with a toddler in tow can be a recipe for disaster or at least a ton of undue stress for everyone.
Go the last week in November or the first week of December before it gets too crazy busy.
If possible, do it on a weekday when the bigger kids are still in school. We are in Canada, so we go on American Thanksgiving Day. There was no one else in line, and Bug got to see the big man in red straight away!
2. Cut Down A Christmas Tree
We LOVE this family Christmas tradition!
Find and take a road trip out to your local Christmas tree farm. We started doing this one last year with a group of friends and it is a blast!
The first order of business is to hit the bush, pick out that perfect tree and chop (or use a Sawzall) it down. Afterward, there is a nice cozy area, sheltered by the forest where there are campfires to cook on.
Think warm comfort foods, the stuff that will stick to your ribs.
Make it a potluck where everyone brings a dish…chili, garlic sticks, cornbread, cheese and crackers, hot chocolate and mulled apple cider. If the place you find doesn’t have this setup, you could have it at one of the families’ homes.
These places plant new trees every year for reforestation, so all in all better for the environment than an artificial tree which will eventually end up in a landfill.
And remember to dress for the weather and layer up!
3. Bake Christmas Cookies
If your kids are really little, like my guy, it doesn’t have to be a full-on cookie exchange type deal. Just bake up a few batches. They will have so much fun helping decorate them.
I am thinking gingerbread men and women will be on our list this year. When they get older, you can expand on it.
My mom and I did this every year while she was still with us and I so looked forward to it! Definitely one of my favorite family Christmas traditions.
We used to bake 8-10 varieties of cookies, some recipes handed down from her mom and something new every year. Then we would make platters and deliver them around to our friends and favorite local businesses in our small town.
It’s just a small gesture but it really brings a smile to people’s faces when they receive a plate of homebaked goodies.
4. Write Letters To Santa
Write letters to Santa and be sure to have your child include what they have done this year to be kind, helpful and good. If you are in Canada send it via the Write To Santa Program from Canada Post.
SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE
H0H 0H0
CANADA
If you send your mail from Canada by early December, you should receive a reply in the mail by December 14.
Letters to Santa sent from Canada do not need postage and be sure to include your return address so Santa can write them back!
In the U.S. send the letter using the Greetings From The North Pole Program.
NORTH POLE POSTMARK
POSTMASTER
4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998
Don’t forget to make photocopies of the letters before you send and save them to make a keepsake box or album for your kids to have when they are grown.
5. Take a Family Photo
Take a photo of your kids in front of the tree in the same pose, or set up the camera to automatic and get the whole clan in there. Or a funny silly group selfie in front of the tree would be cute as well.
In any case, be sure to save these pics so they don’t get lost in any digital clutter.
And by save, I mean actually PRINT them. They will be fun to reminisce about when the kids are older.
6. Shoot a Quick Video
The same idea as the annual photo, make a quick video of your kids with their thoughts about Christmas. Make it in an interview-style where you are the reporter asking them questions.
When we were kids my Dad did this on cassette tapes (yes I am OLD), and they were so fun to listen to when we grew up.
Family Christmas Traditions About Good Will & giving
7. Donate to a Food Bank
Or volunteer at a soup kitchen or a shelter to help feed the less fortunate.
It is so important to show our children that there are people in this world who sometimes need help getting back on their feet and that we are fortunate enough to have means to help them.
Basic human kindness can never be taught too early.
8. Donate to a Toy Drive
Go shopping with your child and have them pick out a toy to help out your local toy drive. Ours is run by our local fire department but check for one in your area.
9. Donate to Goodwill
Early in December is a great time to go through all the closets and toy bins and do some major decluttering. It’s another nice way to help out the less fortunate as well as make room for a few new toys of your own.
Plan to do it early in the season though, not when the Christmas rush gets too hectic.
have fun & make Christmas memories
10. Christmas Lights Tour
Get dressed in your comfiest comfies, pick up some hot chocolate and Timbits and hit the road!
Drive around your area and neighboring communities to check out all the Christmas lights and displays. It’s cool to see how other people decorate, some really go hog wild!
11. Attend a Christmas Tree Lighting
If you live in or close to a big city, chances are it will have a grand tree lighting ceremony. Watch your kids’ eyes light up as big as that massive Christmas tree!
We haven’t braved the crowds to try this one yet but perhaps when Bug is a little older.
12. Open One Gift on Christmas Eve
Our parents always let us choose ONE gift from under the tree to open on Christmas Eve as a little bonus and as a reward for behaving.
Let your kids choose one gift that has been pre-delivered, for example by a relative or friend to open before the big day.
I remember that being such a bonus, not having to wait for EVERYTHING. You know as a kid, everything seems to take soooooo long, the anticipation of waiting for Christmas Day is excruciating.
13. New PJ’s on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve morning, set out new pajamas under the tree. Let your child know that the elves delivered these from Santa to wear on Christmas Eve.
Along with the pj’s, leave a note from the elves reminding them to go to be early tonight and sleep well because tonight is the night Santa will be coming to their house!
14. Wear PJ’s to Christmas Dinner
And speaking of PJ’s…
This is something my husband’s family decided that we should try a few years back and let me just tell you. It. Is. Awesome. We all wear cozy pj’s or lounging clothes to my sister-in-law’s house for Christmas dinner.
It took a little getting used to on my part because I was raised to get all gussied up on Christmas day, sparkly dresses or tights, big Christmas bows in my hair and all that jazz.
However, there is something to be said for having nice stretchy pants on, especially after that second piece of pumpkin pie!
You can still do your fun holiday hair and makeup, and wear something sparkly, just make it PJ style!
The guys usually wear funky Christmas pajama bottoms or lounging pants and caption t-shirts. It’s the best of both worlds, honestly. This year, I’m thinking maybe I will grab a set of matching family PJs just for the fun of it.
15. Carrots for the Reindeer
When you’re getting Santa’s cookies and milk ready, don’t forget the reindeer! Leave some carrots or apples outside for them to munch on. Your little animal lovers will get right into this one!
16. Do You Want To Build a Snowman?
For those of you lucky enough to have a white Christmas, build a big snowman with your kids. Dress him in festive holiday garb like red and green scarves, mittens and earmuffs.
Get creative with this one. Heck if you are really ambitious, you can try to make him resemble Olaf!
17. Christmas Music
What would a list of family Christmas traditions be without a mention of music?
Throw on that Christmas music as much as you can this month… while wrapping the gifts, decorating, baking or driving to the mall.
Teach your kids the classics, and the ones that are the most fun to sing together. We’re stuck on Jingle Bells and The 12 Days of Christmas right now and it’s kind of refreshing. Let’s be real, we can all use a break from Baby Shark, right?
18. Make Ornaments Together
When we were little my parents got us a ‘stained glass’ kit that used metal frames and plastic beads, set on parchment and bake in the oven.
Once cooled we slipped a pretty ribbon through the hole in the top. I still have a couple of these from when I was little and hang them on the tree every year. They make lovely keepsakes.
Not only is this a really fun project, but it is an excellent way for toddlers to work on their fine motor skills and cultivate creativity! Salt dough ornaments are really easy and fun to make and paint too!
19. Build a Gingerbread House
If you are a skilled baker and super crafty, you can do it from scratch.
Or you can build one using graham crackers, Rice Krispie squares or Kit Kats. For your first attempt, you may want to simply buy a kit from your local grocery store as I did. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Building one of these bad boys with your kids could easily become one of your favorite family Christmas traditions. And as you can see from the photo, when you are building a gingerbread house with a 3 year old, it will have its own messy charm. Have fun with it! it’s a wonderful way to help teach little ones about building and how thing stick together (or don’t!), and of course about the power of gravity if your icing start to slide or your peppermint drops drop.
20. Magic Reindeer Food
Find a recipe for magic reindeer food, like this one from Love Play and Learn, and sprinkle it out in the yard for Santa’s trusty flying team.
Spread the glittery concoction out on the lawn (if you happen to have snow it’s even better!) and explain to your kids that the light shining on the glitter will help guide the reindeer to land.
21. Try the Rule of Four
Santa brings four things. Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. This is a great way to keep things simple at Christmas and help them to remember the spirit of the season instead of tearing open a million toys and being overwhelmed.
You don’t have to go overboard or over budget if you choose to keep things simple. Remember, true Christmas spirit is about spreading joy and being together with the ones you love.
22. Simple Christmas Eve Supper
On Christmas Eve, we have a simple supper and call it Tapas style. Think easy foods like hummus, pita bread and crackers, olives and tapenades, cheese, kielbasa, and crusty bread.
Bonus for the Mom who is cooking a big meal the next day and could use a bit of a break!
23. Twenty-five Books of Christmas
Raising a reader? Get 25 books about Christmas and put them all in a large box. Each day let your child or children pick one book to read that night. This is especially perfect for toddlers and younger kids where the books are short and sweet.
Also, remember to check your local second-hand book store or thrift shop for good condition books to save some money on this one.
Already have a massive library? Remember, pre-Christmas is the time to purge and donate books your child no longer reads or has outgrown. If this still seems like too much you can scale it down to one book a week, counting down to Christmas Eve.
24. Movie Night
One of the most fun family Christmas traditions!
Have a Christmas movie marathon one weekend and binge-watch all your favorites. Make a ton of popcorn, have licorice and other movie theater treats on hand and snuggle on the couch together.
Each person in the family gets to pick one Christmas movie, with no protest from the others. In our house, Diehard is considered a Christmas movie by some (sigh…) but thankfully it is not age-appropriate for our son! Hubby will have to watch that on his own.
25. Read Twas the Night Before Christmas
Mom or Dad, pop on that Santa hat and read this classic before you tuck your kids in for the night. And cross your fingers for a good night’s sleep with visions of sugar plum fairies to dance in their heads.
26. Read The Nativity Story
If you are so inclined, choose the nativity story to read on Christmas Eve with your kids. Choose a simple book that explains in an easy to follow manner, the events surrounding Christ’s birth.
27. Nativity Set
We always had our little nativity set out during the Christmas holidays. It is an antique one handed down in my Mom’s family for generations, and I am lucky enough to still have it.
Our tradition with this one was that the youngest child (ME) always got to place baby Jesus in the cradle on Christmas morning. It always felt like such a privilege to me. Another way to do it is to have your kids take turns each year.
28. Santa Footprints
Sometimes Santa leaves footprints himself, of course, but in case he forgets you can help him out! Spray the bottom of your boots with fake snow or use flour, to make Santa footprints from the chimney to the tree and back.
If you don’t have a chimney use the front door. Explain to your little ones that Santa doesn’t need a key because he makes himself teeny tiny and goes through the keyhole.
29. Hot Chocolate Bar
On Christmas morning set up a DIY hot chocolate bar complete with Christmas mugs in the kitchen for a yummy treat.
Include all the trimmings such as candy sprinkles, whipped cream, cinnamon or cinnamon sticks, cocoa powder, and candy canes just to name a few!
30. Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt
While you’re out on your Christmas light tour why not turn it into a scavenger hunt? Here is a great list of ideas from Dresses and Dinosaurs. This one looks like it would be a blast to do with the kiddos and I’m definitely planning on trying it!
31. Lunch Date/Shopping with Mommy or Daddy
Each parent gets their own date day to bring the kid/s out for lunch and pick out a small gift from them to mommy or daddy. You can have it wrapped by the gift wrappers at the mall who raise money for charity.
Follow up with a lunch date in the food court where they can pick out their favorite type of food.
32. Christmas Eve Eve Campout
This is a fun one to add to your family Christmas traditions!
On Christmas Eve Eve, camp out in the family room or wherever you set up your tree. Make it nice and comfy with lots of comforters and floor pillows and sleep under the Christmas lights.
33. Attend a Christmas Concert
Find out what your local theatre groups are up to and head out to see a live performance of some type. It’s a fantastic way to expose your kids to some culture and for me, there’s just something about a live performance that can’t be beat.
34. Couples Tradition
After the kids are all tucked in on Christmas Eve, and your work for the night is done have a tradition for just you and your partner.
Open a bottle of wine or have some Bailey’s and hot chocolate and watch A Christmas Carol or movie you both can agree on. Again, I am firm on my stance that Diehard is not a Christmas movie.
35. Practice Random Acts of Kindness
In the spirit of the season, do something nice for a complete stranger. I believe in doing this all year through but Christmas is a good time to start.
A simple one we like doing is to pay for the person’s coffee behind you in the drive-thru lane. It’s such an easy way to teach your children that kindness matters.
Related: How to Teach Your Toddler Kindness and Empathy
36. Paint Your Own Christmas Mugs
Feeling crafty? Pick up some clear glass mugs at the dollar store and paint them up as festive as you’d like. Everyone can do their own and express themselves however they like!
Be sure to use multisurface or enamel paints that are meant for glass. Bake them according to the directions on the bottle and they will be safe to wash. I use these paints from Folk Art for all my glass painting projects.
37. Christmas Potpourri
Make Christmas potpourri with oranges or cinnamon sticks to simmer on the stovetop or pick up some Christmas type essential oils like cinnamon, clove, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood or pine for your essential oils diffuser.
38. Mistletoe
Be sure to hang a sprig in your doorway…if you want to be kissed that is!
39. Find the Pickle
When looking for fun family Christmas traditions, I found this crazy-sounding one.
This is a new one for me! Buy a Christmas Pickle ornament and hide it in your Christmas tree. Whoever finds the pickle gets an extra gift or a special privilege that year!
40. Family Game Night
Pick a night during the holidays for family game night. Break out the board games, trivia, Pictionary or whatever games you all enjoy playing.
When I grew up this wasn’t really a thing in our family but my husband’s family is big on it!
We have some great laughs and it can get loud. But it is really a hoot getting everyone involved and laughing together. That’s the stuff memories are made of.
Create some magic holiday memories of your own with these family Christmas traditions. What are some fun and unique things you do with your clan every season? We’d love to hear from you!
From our home to yours, we wish you a joyful and blessed holiday season.
Peace, Kelly
Kelly Blakely is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.
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