45 MEMORY MAKING CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS TO START THIS YEAR
Family traditions are an excellent way to make Christmas more meaningful for your family. Creating family Christmas traditions – one of the most “on purpose” things we can do for our families. The memories that will stand out in our kids’ minds.
And I’m saying it as the one who didn’t’ have family traditions. Not for Christmas, not for any other day of the year. Moreover, I can say in our family holidays was not welcomed. So when I saw that “double” line on my “peed” test, I thought of all the traditions we are gonna have as a family. That’s what unites you as one and takes a big part of what makes you a real family.
Here is my list of memory-making Christmas traditions that I’m planning on starting this year:
1. DITCH A TRADITION THAT’S DON’T BRING US JOY
Yes, you heard that right 🙂 My tradition #1 is to ditch a tradition 😀 Clean out a tradition to make room for a new one. Traditions have to bring joy. They might reappear again in the future, but traditions have to grow and morph as we do!
Family traditions – an essential part of the holiday season. Still, sometimes we continue things that have become stale and aren’t fun anymore. Even if it’s very Christmas-y like making a gingerbread house or caroling 😀
2. MAKE HAND-CRAFTED GIFTS
We’ll spend some extra time this year planning a way to make something original for our family members and friends. I think of handmade ornaments for the tree, creating a picture or illustration, or maybe even a mini biopic, personalized cookies, self-published children’s book, crochet a scarf or sweater, or sew some pillow covers.
The main idea here is to give people presents made with our own hands – gifts with thought put into them.
We also choose something simple that we can do with our kids, so children could also enjoy making them. The cookies and gingerbread mentioned above are a good idea 🙂
3. DECORATING NOT UP UNTIL TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
I love having the whole month to enjoy the decorations. But I don’t like the idea of decorating the house right after Halloween or on the first day of December. It overhypes you for the actual holiday, diminishing the true excitement and value of the holiday. By the time Christmas finally comes, it feels as though you’ve already celebrated it. You’re already tired of all these lights, tree smell, and ginger men in your oven—actually, anything with the word ginger in it.
Now I see why immediately the next day after Christmas, cities are full of abandoned trees, lol. Couldn’t solve this quiz for years, haha. In my country, the massive tree mourning was around March, usually right before Women’s Day on March 8 as the gift to all wives ( that was sarcasm in here 😉 ). But now, I know. If I lived for the whole months or even longer in a Christmas decorated house, I would go crazy. I couldn’t wait for the holidays to come, so I could finally get back to my usual home appearance.
PS: I also heard some people believe that you may have bad luck in the New Year if you take your Christmas tree down after midnight on December 31st.
4. MAKE A CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST
And to add to it each year
Set the mood on Christmas morning with festive soundtracks.
My daughter loves to sing, and we presented her karaoke mic this Bday, so we also will add jamming out to Christmas music this year. It only comes around once a year, so there’s no better time 🙂
5. MAKE HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS CARDS
Either a simple family photo on cardstock or handprint elves. Will see where our imagination will take us. But It’s more about the time we’ll spend together than the finished product.
6. AND SURELY MAIL THOSE HOLIDAY CARDS
Now we have to do something with that stack of paper. Time to reconnect with family and friends far and near. By sending good wishes in the mail.
I think also send Christmas cards to nursing homes or troops overseas to let them know they’re remembered at Christmas. This is especially important this year.
7. START DECEMBER WITH A FAMILY HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST
On December 1st, everyone will pick one thing they’d like to do (as a family) in December.
It could be skating, skiing, going to an aquapark, building a snowman, baking cookies – whatever we want! Then we will pick dates and schedule the activities so everything on our “holiday bucket list” gets checked off.
Very excited to hear my year old son thoughts on that, lol
8. GINGERBREAD HOUSE
What Christmas with no gingerbread house in it? If you have two left hands or they smell like butt (probably because they are growing from that body part), don’t worry – buy a DIY gingerbread house kit.
9. BAKE & DECORATE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
There are so many ideas for decorating Christmas cookies. And it’s even more fun (and more comfortable) than decorating a gingerbread house!
The ones I think of: classic Christmas sugar cookies cut into snowmen, stars, and gingerbread men. Then decorate them with icing and sprinkles.
RELATED: 90 Incredible Christmas Cookies to Make This Season
10. WRITE LETTER TO SANTA
Another tradition that will stick in our family for many years is writing a letter to Santa.
For Canadians, send your letters to:
Santa Claus
North Pole HOH OHO
Canada
In US, it’s a little bit more complicated:
- Have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole.
- Write a personalized response to the child’s letter and sign it “From Santa.”
- Insert both letters into an envelope, and address it to the child.
- Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope.
- Ensure a First-Class Mail stamp is affixed to the envelope.
- Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address it to:
NORTH POLE POSTMARK
POSTMASTER
4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998
Send your letters by December 7 so that they can be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than December 14. Santa’s helpers in Anchorage, AK, will take care of the rest!
A letter simply addressed to “Santa, North Pole” will not go to the postmaster in Anchorage, Alaska. It will end up in a default area for mail without a complete address. Then be sorted back into the Operation Santa program, where a postal worker or member of the public can respond.
Or you can use modern technologies like the internet and send the letter online. Check www.LettersToSantaOnline.com for that.
(Don’t forget to photocopy the letters and keep them in an album to look back on when your kids have kids!)
And if your kids already in their 20’s 30’s 40’s and know that Santa is their father or different men every year sitting in the mall, it’s not an excuse to avoid this tradition.
Sending a letter to the jolly feller who lives in Lapland might help you more than you could guess. Rather than adding material items to the wish list, write down some personal goals like finding a new guy or girl (just don’t tell your best half about this) or overcoming your fear of kids poop, or stop drinking that wine before noon (though it tastes so delicious , especially before noon!). In your letter, suggest ways Santa could help you achieve your goals. You might be surprised by the ideas that come to your mind.
11. CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT
For as long as I can remember, I wished to have a tradition of family movie nights. First, with my own family, then with the one I’ve created. But it’s still just a wish as my kids pretty young to watch movies (3 y.o and 1 y.o.), but that definitely goes into my Christmas tradition sometime soon.
This is the simplest of all family Christmas traditions on the list, but it will def be my favorite.
How I see it: Christmas movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate. Maybe slightly stronger hot chocolate for adults 😉 Inviting a few of our friends or gather up the family. Everyone brings a Christmas movie they love, and a Christmas treat.
Can’t wait to watch Love Actually and Die Hard.
There is no shortage of festive Christmas-themed movies to get you in the holiday spirit.
12. OR HAVE EVERY NIGHT AS CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT
A week’s worth of Christmas movies and each night for the week before Christmas, crossing one off the list!
Watching classic Christmas movies to learn the meaning of Christmas.
13. FONDUE NIGHT
I’m not up for all the hot oil and prep work with little kids, so we’ll just have chocolate fondue as a dessert. I love the idea of bonding together, sharing the bowl and food.
14. ATTEND CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Though we’re not celebrating the religious aspect of this holiday (sorry, we are not churchgoers and believers), Christmas is about the fact the Christ came here for us, to be with us, to save us. Many churches will have candlelight services on Christmas Eve, usually late at night (around 11 p.m.). Don’t worry if you’ve never been before. Churches expect visitors, especially on Christmas Eve.
15. GO FOR A CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE
Christmas is the most colorful time of the year due to all of the massive Christmas light displays in the neighborhood. We’ll take advantage of that by driving around and looking at the beautifully lit-up houses or drive-through attractions.
We were driving to look at Christmas lights late at night when we were kids free. We’ll make some changes to how we did it by taking hot chocolate in travel mugs—free entertainment for the kids and nice quiet family time where everyone is strapped down.
It’s awesome! A must-do activity to get the most out of this holiday season.
16. DRESS UP
I’m from Russia. We dress up even to go throw out the trash feet away from our apartment. Also if you look at old photos of our parents and grandparents, you see that everyone is dressed nicely at big holiday gatherings. We don’t have that many dress-up events to attend these days. I want to make our gathering a dress-up occasion so that it feels special and different.
17. SPEND ALL DAY IN YOUR PJs
But we can have a dressed-up event the night before, On Christmas Eve. In the morning, it’s the time to put on Christmas pajamas — bonus points if the entire family matches.
18. A NEW CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT
Another tradition I want to keep to pick out or make one new tree ornament each year.
Make an ornament to remember it by—decorations reflecting special milestones in each family member’s life.
PS: Like we will forget 2020 anytime soon… I’m afraid even to think about what comes to mind as an ornament. Dicks dipped into glitter, or shit dough handprints might be an option 😉
19. HANG UP CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
We’ll get everyone in the family their own Christmas stocking – a personalized one! They will hang empty for the whole month, as decorations, and be magically filled overnight on Christmas eve!
20. CHRISTMAS MORNING FAMILY PHOTO
Everyone in their PJ, with their hair crazy, surrounded by wrapping paper. Just set the camera on self-timer.
21. SPECIAL “SANTA” WRAPPING PAPER
I’m looking for an extraordinary and unique wrapping paper that I will use every year for gifts that only Santa uses. (so we’ll have to buy a massive roll for all the upcoming ages, at least 10 years ahead) and every Christmas morning, add one more gift there than there had been the night before, wrapped in this particular paper.
22. WANT, NEED, WEAR, & READ GIFTS
It’s a wonderful Christmas tradition to start with kids and something I would like to do! I love the idea of gifting everyone by the rule of 4: with something they want, need, something to wear, and something to read.
23. PLAY IN THE SNOW
A white Christmas.
If there won’t be snowing in our hometown, we’ll find a more lucky place, even if it’s blessed with a “fake snow.” Like skiing resorts that are just an hour away, and spend there a day making memories. For those who don’t have that option either – visit a nearby ice-skating rink!
Whether you go skiing or skating or even just take a walk around your neighborhood, there’s nothing like Christmas to make you appreciate winter.
24. COZY UP BY THE FIRE
We don’t have a wood-burning fireplace, but there are tons of crackling fire backgrounds with sounds of wind and even wolves howling on TV. Just a video of a flickering flame will make your house feel cozy for a holiday. Together with the Christmas playlist on, it sets for the perfect holiday vibe.
25. VISIT A CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christmas markets are festive destinations. They put you in “jingle bell” mode right away by sipping on mulled wine or hot chocolate while browsing Christmas crafts. They’re also perfect for buying last-minute gifts.
26. WATCH A CHRISTMAS PARADE
No matter where we will be on Christmas, there is some festive celebration throughout the country that will provide plenty of Christmas cheer. And if you don’t like big gatherings of people ( I really feel unsafe there, especially with kids), just turn on your TV! It creates that festive vibe, too, even watching it on your screen.
27. HOST OR ATTEND A CHRISTMAS PARTY
The best way to celebrate a holiday – host a Christmas party with friends and family. It can be on any day in December. And doesn’t matter if it’s December 1st 🙂
Pandemic has made its own adjustments. But because you can’t get together in person doesn’t mean you can’t see your friends and family at Christmas. Host a virtual party. Send everyone a Zoom link and party online.
28. MAKE CHRISTMAS MASKS (no, not the ones we’re wearing in pandemic)
We will make them out of paper plates for a fun Christmas craft. And when we are done, use them to take photo booth-style pictures to commemorate the holiday.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.»
29. TREATS FOR SANTA AND HIS HELPERS
Leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. When kids are asleep, drink the milk, nibble on the carrots, and eat the cookies, leaving some crumbs and pieces behind and as evidence.
30. START THE NEW YEAR A WEEK EARLY
There is no time like now! I make New Year’s resolutions to forget them the next day. Why not do the other way around, making Christmas itself new, different, and unusual by bringing to life a list of New Year’s resolutions. I’ll start the next year of my life a bit earlier.
31. COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS WITH CHAIN LINKS (paper ones, of course, but tastes differ 😉 ).
Rectangular strips/links chain will need = days left until Christmas. No matter how many days until Christmas (but the more days you have, the more fun this project will be), this is a fun way to get the kids excited about December 25. You can be as creative as you want and add pom-poms, stickers, and drawings to each link. Once the links are decorated, we’ll staple them together in a pattern and every day take off a link until finally reach Christmas day!
32. HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
While the store-bought version gets the job done, there’s nothing like a steaming mug of a homemade cup of thick, rich chocolate.
33. WATCH A TREE LIGHTING
We live in NYC and never made it for the Rockefeller Center tree lighting. Can’t say I’m waiting in excitement to do so. As mentioned above, I’m not a huge fan of crowds, but who said you can’t watch it in the coziness of your own home? TVs were invented a long time ago.
But if you’re opposite me and enjoy time surrounded by hundreds of strangers, most towns and cities worldwide host an annual lighting ceremony. They often have games and festive music to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
34. ELF ON THE SHELF
I’ve discovered about The Elf on the Shelf reasonably recently. And I loved the idea! The Elf keeps track of your little ones’ behavior and reports back to Santa. You supposed to change his poses and rooms he can be found in. (Kids shouldn’t know it’s you who “controls” the Elf)
35. READ CHRISTMAS STORIES
We are about to peruse the Christmas section at our bookstore. Can’t wait to settle back into a comfy chair with a pre-Christmas drink while reading the tales with the fam. While kids are little, we’ll start reading a little bit of a longer story each night, such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
36. COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS WITH AN ADVENT CALENDAR
For those who don’t know – an advent calendar comprises 25 spaces that lead up to Christmas Day. Each day, you open the slot. Usually, advent calendars have small treats inside, like chocolate, small toys, or stickers, one for each day. Some may have quotes or sayings in them to get you in the holiday spirit.
We never used one before, so we will try DIYing our own and turn it into a memorable Christmas activity. I’m sure kids will have fun creating their own calendar, especially after we’ll tell them about receiving a treat each day of December!
37. GIVE BACK TO OTHERS
When I was a kid, we shared what we had with neighbors when times were tough. I think of homeless shelters, help an elderly neighbor with errands, give toys to toy drives, send packages to military members away from home this year, invite someone who doesn’t have family nearby (especially this year) to your own holiday dinner.
38. DECEMBER 6th, CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF SAINT NICHOLAS
Santa Claus is based on a real person, Saint Nicolas. He lived a very long time ago and was known for his generosity towards the poor. We will place our shoes by the fireplace (in our case, it’s a place right under the fake one streaming on TV) and the next morning discover them filled with treats (oranges, chocolate coins). So, yes, Santa Claus is real!
After the kids are asleep – have “JUST YOU TWO” (THREE/FOUR/FIVE… Every family is different 😉 ) Christmas traditions
When my kids are a little older, I’m planning on adding other traditions like:
39. DIFFERENT CULTURE EVERY YEAR
There are hundreds of cultures globally, and many of them have their own festive traditions. We will choose a country everybody in our family will agree to and spend another culture-themed Christmas, decorating our home in the way it is decorated for Christmas in this culture, imitate their traditions, prepare their national dishes.
40. CULTIVATE GRATITUDE
The holiday season is an excellent time to teach appreciation. I’m thinking about starting a family gratitude journal and write in it together at the end of each day, the whole of December right until New Year.
Also, thank-you notes are a great idea!
Writing a real thank-you note the holiday season, whether thanking someone for a cool party or a thoughtful gift.
41. ICE SKATING OUTDOORS
Ice skating is a great way to make family memories that will take a special place in your heart and put you in a festive mood. Especially if it’s outdoor. It’s just another vibe to it. And if you’re lucky enough to catch the snow while you are skating – you officially made the most out of Christmas and winter in general!
42. FAMILY GAME NIGHT
Just like movie night, this is one I wish to have when my kids are a little older.
43. PUT TOGETHER A HOLIDAY PUZZLE
Doing a puzzle is a beautiful way to spend Christmas day or night. While “puzzling,” set the mood with fire (even if it’s a fake TV one) or a candle.
44. TAKE A VACATION
Memories you’ll make while spending time together will last far, far longer than legos and LOL dolls you buy, and YOU’LL actually enjoy the break too!
But the main tradition of all is :
45. BEING OKAY WITH NOT HITTING EVERY TRADITION EVERY YEAR
Here’s the deal—the holiday season is just 30 days long, the vast majority of which are filled with life and its routine. It’s ok not to get every single tradition every year. That doesn’t mean you won’t get next year. And it doesn’t mean the holidays are any less special.
Christmas is a holiday filled with festive decorations, good cheer, and time with family and friends. Just Enjoy it with traditions or not.
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