The Christmas season is a mixture of joyous celebrations and holiday craziness. Because it’s so easy to get caught up in the business and miss the memorable moments, here are 16 Easy and Meaningful Christmas Traditions for the whole family. Sometimes the most meaningful Christmas traditions are easy and inexpensive. If you focus on a few things that mean the most to your family then you can add on or leave off the other things while still having an incredible holiday season!
Here are some of our favorite Christmas traditions we hope you will join in on with us!
-
Advent
Whether it’s the four weeks of Advent with candle and devotional or an Advent calendar, mark the time that is passing and leading up to Christmas.
-
Selecting a Christmas Tree
Picking “the right tree” can be a fun and memorable experience that families look forward to all year.
-
Christmas Decorating
From Charlie Brown’s scrawny tree to a Hallmark masterpiece, decorating can be fun. We try to do something personalized each year with the kids so that they look at the decorations and feel proud of what they did. Some examples are ornaments, snowflakes in the window, or garlands.
-
Decorate Gingerbread Houses
Even if the final look says “nailed it”, this is such a fun time to stop and get your hands dirty with some sugary fun. Store bought or homemade, working together or competing, this is a sweet tradition to include.
-
Holiday Baking
I love the smell of Christmas baked goods. Warm cider, cinnamon, hot chocolate, gingerbread… I’m in the kitchen a lot during the holidays with my kids eager to help and sample. This is also a great way to help them make holiday gifts for their teachers or for your neighbors. Whip up those family recipes!
-
Matching Pajamas
This is such a fun tradition, though it can easily get a little pricey. If you’re wanting to do this but are sticking to a budget, try making them or get a pattern like buffalo plaid that is easy to update as kids grow without having to buy new PJs for everyone every year.
-
Christmas Cards
This could be physical or digital, graphic design or family photo. I personally love to update our family photos each year to mark our kiddo’s growth and then include a small family update for the year. Sending a Christmas card is a way to stay in touch with people, stop to share a moment of joy and let them know you thought of them.
-
Christmas Movies
We all tend to have a favorite. Whether you have a weekly movie night, play them while you’re decorating or pick one day for a movie marathon, this can be a great way to relax as a family with your favorite drinks and snacks.
-
Christmas Light Drive
Pile up in the car and take a drive to admire all the pretty Christmas lights! My family typically wears our matching red PJs and munch on popcorn to do this, though some friends say it has to be hot chocolate instead. Whatever your snack choice, use the Waco Moms Christmas Light Guide to guide your sleigh.
-
Christmas Music
Play your favorite tunes and dance, sing, do karaoke, leave it as background music, or make car rides more fun. It’s so simple, but it can put a smile on your face and turn an ordinary moment into a fun one that happens at the same time every year.
-
Holiday Puzzles
Putting together puzzles is an amazing way to slow down and look at the small things. It’s also fun to do with others, be it family, friend or neighbor. Take some time to slow down and chat while you put together something beautiful.
-
Visit Santa Clause
It could be at the mall or a favorite store, and you can write a letter to Santa as well. You could even have a cultural twist that’s meaningful to your family. Growing up in Germany, my family celebrated with St. Nicholas and brought the tradition to the states.
-
Book Presents
Jolabokaflod is an Icelandic holiday tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and spending the evening reading while cozy in the living room. You could also wrap several Christmas books and open them up to read as a family leading up to Christmas.
-
Caroling
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Follow Buddy the Elf’s example and go caroling in your neighborhood, nursing home or hospital.
-
Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus
Many young Christian families help their children understand the significance of the season by baking a birthday cake for the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
-
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service or Mass
Churches around town have many different service options and start times. This is an old Christmas tradition that is so very special. The quiet time to reflect and celebrate and sing by candlelight is moving, powerful and meaningful.
Does your family have any special Christmas traditions? Share them in the comments below and be sure to tag us as you celebrate this holiday season. We are wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
