Kids

15 Christmas Traditions To Start With Your Family

by Thea Arvisu
November 25, 2020

Make memories that will last a lifetime with these creative, thoughtful, & fun holiday activities

Christmas isn’t so much about the lavish presents, but more so about being with the ones you love, and closing out the year with those closest to you. It’s a time for togetherness with those that really matter, and adding that extra magic for the kids is what will keep this vibe going for generations to come.

As the adults in the household, the responsibility falls on us to make sure this magic stays alive. (Sorry.) Memorable moments don’t have to be crazy extra, but you can make it fun enough so they have something to look forward to year after year. We’ve come up with a list of activities we think are just as fun as they are meaningful, and definitely tradition-worthy for everyone.

Homemade Christmas cards for friends or family

This one feels a little extra special because of all the time we didn’t get to spend with friends and family all year. It can be simple or extravagant, whatever you’re feeling! It makes a wonderful, personalised token of love, and shows the little ones the importance of maintaining relationships.

Write a letter to Santa

Not only is this a great way to find out what the kids want, but it’s good practice in expressing their wishes and writing letters (a dying art!). You can keep these in a folder— show them when they’re older, and marvel at how their wants/needs changed over the years.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

These don’t have to be complicated at all, but they’re fun to create, and make amazing keepsakes that will pretty much last forever. I love the ones that use your children’s photos, as you see it every year as a reminder of how little they used to be. Absolutely priceless.

Customised Wrapping Paper

Eco-friendly, unique, and fun— you can’t go wrong. Plain recycled paper makes a great canvas for creative little ones, and every present will be wrapped in a work of art. You can use markers, stickers, paint, stamps, or even just crayons. Polish it off with a simple ribbon, and you get presents wrapped in a whole lot of love.

Make treats together

Bake from scratch or from a box— it doesn’t matter. Crinkles (with holiday themed sprinkles) or Christmas colored jello (if you don’t have an oven) would be the easiest recommendations, but by all means, go according to your level of expertise.

Fill a box for donating

The true spirit of Christmas is in giving, and this is one of the best ways to implement it. Not only do you teach the kids the importance of sharing and letting go, but it’s also a way to help those who are less fortunate. Remember that this isn’t a way to get rid of unused junk— pick items that are in good condition but are no longer in rotation. This also makes room for other toys and such that are coming their way in just a couple of weeks.

If you’re willing to do one better, shop for affordable items to donate, or have your children choose a few of their own gifts they’d be willing to give up. Kindness goes a long way, and it would only do the world some good if we passed that on to the youth.

Make A Calendar

Count down to Christmas by making your own advent calendar! Watch the excitement grow as the days go by, and it’s a great project for the kids to really get into— both for when they decorate it, and mark it off everyday.

Read Christmas Stories

You have to admit, reading about a snowman in the middle of summer is a bit weird. You can store all the Holiday books in a box and save it to make this a yearly tradition. Take it out in the beginning of the month, or use them as a way to pass the time while waiting for Noche Buena.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

I know most parents take pride in the perfection of their Christmas Tree, being the centrepiece of the Holiday festivities. Imagine the joy that could bring your child if they were part of making that happen. Involve them in the process— picking a theme, selecting the decor and the lights, and hanging up their DIY ornaments. Don’t forget to take video of the first time they see it, as you turn on those lights.

Christmas movie-marathon

A favorite for many, this is probably the easiest one on this list. To be clear, it doesn’t have to be movies about Christmas. Cater to your family’s preference and make it your own. Binge watch comedies, a string of action movies, or everything Pixar. If you want to stick with a Christmas theme, go for it. It’s a great way for the family to spend time together (with snacks!), and you can catch up on whatever you missed this past year.

Create a Holiday Playlist to play throughout the month

Set the tone for the season by creating a playlist together with everyone’s favorite Holiday tunes. Blast it all month and let it be the soundtrack of your December.

Family Game Night

Dust off the board games or invest in some of the newer ones, because this is a fun tradition that only gets better as the kids get older. Heat up some chocolate for the kiddos, a little wine for the adults, get everyone settled (preferably with food nearby), and bring on the laughs.

Sing Christmas Carols

Dig deep to find your inner Jose Mari Chan (or Mariah. Or is it Arianna now? I don’t know), and belt out everyone’s favorite Christmas songs. You can even sing-along with your Holiday Playlist. Whatever you feel like, this is a cheerful way to get into the Holiday spirit.

Christmas Family Portrait

Seeing as this is really a time for family, don’t miss out on the opportunity to capture the memories. Make it a point to have your photo taken as a fam, even if everyone is just in pambahay. No social media pressure here if you aren’t the type, but if everyone is willing to get dressed up, do it. These are the memories you’ll fondly look back on decades later.

Hide-and-Find The Christmas Ornament

An idea of unknown origin, this is an entertaining activity to finish off our list— you pick an ornament or a small object to hang on the Christmas tree for the kids to look for. It has to be something that stands out, so it’s not too difficult to find. If your tree is filled with stars, balls, and flowers, you can use a bell. Or find one special ornament that’s different from all the rest, and that will be the ornament. It can be anything!

Ask the kids to look for it right before opening presents, or as a nightly ritual during the season, before they wind down for the night.

Creating your own family traditions can be incredibly joyous and really make a lasting impression. The memory of the magic that Christmas brings will be something they cherish well into adulthood, and you made it possible. If you have any of your own from your childhood, pass it on! More importantly— just make time to make time. That’s what it’s really all about.