The holidays have arrived and it’s officially my favorite time of year. Since becoming a mom, I’ve been intentional about making this season magical by carrying over a few family Christmas traditions from my childhood and starting some of my own. This is the perfect time to catch up with family and friends while making new memories whether you enjoy binge-watching the same holiday movies on Christmas Eve or displaying the Christmas nativity scene passed down from your grandparents.
If you’re looking to start new family Christmas traditions, this list will help you find a new way to celebrate the holiday season this year.
Related: The Ultimate Holiday Bucket List
Add a Christmas Tree to your child(ren)’s room
Last year was my first year extending the Christmas decor to Jade’s room and it’s definitely a tradition that we plan to keep. This year we even added additional Christmas decor such as sheets, garlands, and pillows. We even added a bit of holiday magic to Jaxon’s room as well. He loves it so much and hearing him say Christmas tree melts my heart.
Wear matching Christmas pajamas
Is it even Christmas if we don’t wear matching holiday pajamas? Target is usually our go-to because they have such a huge selection every year in sizes for the entire family. They even have holiday bandanas for your pets so they can join in on the fun as well.
Watch a local performance of The Nutcracker
Every year, Jade’s dance studio puts on a local performance of The Nutcracker and it’s the most beautiful show ever. We went to our first show in 2019 and we’ve been every year since. I look forward to that mother-daughter date each season. If you have the opportunity to see a show in your area, I highly recommend it. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to get dressed up if you don’t have any holiday parties to attend.
Build a gingerbread house
I’ve been an Aunt for nearly twenty years, and building gingerbread houses was a tradition I started with my niece and nephew when they were toddlers. Now, the kids and I gather around the table and create masterpieces of our own.
Eat Christmas tree pancakes
The Dash waffle maker is my absolute favorite ever. They make mini waffle makers for just about every season and they are such a fun and festive way to enjoy breakfast. We add our normal pancake mix to the waffle maker and stand by for the magic to happen. For extra razzle-dazzle, add a bit of food coloring to the mix and top the Christmas tree with sprinkles as ornaments and whipped cream as the topper.
Drink homemade hot chocolate
Even though Florida doesn’t have the coldest winters, it’s still fun to make homemade hot chocolate and cozy up on the couch watching holiday movies or sipping while listening to our favorite Christmas tunes.
Countdown with an Advent calendar
Counting down with the advent calendar is another tradition we added last year. If you don’t have one, they are so easy to DIY, which is a fun Christmas activity in itself. The kids enjoy receiving a treat or doing an activity daily, and it’s such a memorable way to spread holiday cheer.
Look at Christmas lights
One of my favorite memories from childhood was putting on cozy Christmas pajamas and riding around the city looking at Christmas lights. Some families go all out on their outdoor Christmas displays, and this is such a simple way to add magic to the season whether your family is big or small.
Mail holiday cards
Even in the age of social media, sending holiday cards to our loved ones brings me so much joy. I love sending a piece of my heart to family and friends both near and far wishing them both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Open a gift on Christmas Eve
As a kid, my brother and I would always be so anxious for Christmas that on Christmas Eve our parents let us pick one gift to open before heading to bed. It was such a fun way for us to connect and bond and we’ve decided to adopt this tradition as well.
Part of the holiday season is about discovering what makes your family unique. My family holiday traditions may differ from yours and that’s okay. The goal is to create memorable moments with those you love the most that you’ll remember for years to come. After all, that’s the true spirit of Christmas.
What are some holiday traditions you’ve started as a family or carried over from your childhood?
