Christmas is a time for traditions, whether the old or the new. Here are some of the best Christmas traditions according to our family. We hope they inspire some of your own.
Traditions are an important part of family life. They ground us, connect us, and create memories for years to come. Good or bad, every family has traditions.
Of course, the ones we want to make are the good ones. The bad ones happen all on their own — dry-as-dust turkeys, gifts of underwear from Grandma, and canned cranberry sauce. Like most things that are wonderful, we need to put a little effort in to make them happen.
When it comes to traditions in my house, we have tried to incorporate our favorites from childhood, as well as add new ones as our children have grown and become more involved and opinionated. Along the way, there have been great moments and memories… and a few epic fails (think 15-pound turkey for two adults who don’t like turkey and one 20-month old baby who ate like a, well, baby).
But we will always remember the good times and the less-than-good times, and we tweak our traditions to better fit our unique family (i.e. turkey sandwiches for a few years as our brood grew). Whether you have a grand feast on Christmas Eve or Chinese take-out, whether it’s a Christmas family vacation or just you and the kids at home, Christmas is about drawing near to your loved ones and your Creator.
Here are some of the best Christmas traditions that we’ve found, and though these are special to our family, they may not all be a perfect fit for yours. But I hope they inspire you to add to your holiday traditions and make this Christmas season one of love and joy.
The Best Christmas Traditions
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Reading Christmas books each night
Every November, I use a list that I have revised little by little each year to request 25 books from the library. Once I bring them home, I wrap each one in wrapping paper (thank you, dollar store), number them, and put them under the tree like gifts. Then, I place folded-up pieces of paper in a baggie with those numbers. Each night, the kids choose a number and get their “gift,” to be read together before bed. It’s the perfect way to keep our minds and hearts focused on the season.
A Christmas concert
Try to find one near you, whether in your community or your church. They are usually plentiful at this time of year and I just love listening to them. My kids enjoy the music, too. There’s just something about hearing a choir singing O Holy Night that makes my breath catch.
Choose a Christmas–themed book for yourself
Each year, I try to read a book that brings my focus closer to the birth of Jesus, and away from all the hustle and bustle (and commercialism) of the season. This year, I’m reading Max Lucado’s Because of Bethlehem. Don’t pick anything too heavy, just something that speaks to you where you are, in this year and this season of life.
Open one present on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is almost more fun than the actual day. Maybe because it’s full of anticipation, or maybe because the festivities have reached a crescendo. Whatever the reason, we tend to be practically vibrating by this time, so I let my kids open one gift on Christmas Eve night. I did something similar as a child and I remember it fondly. Plus, that one gift seems extra special because it gets all the attention for about 12 hours!
Advent studies
For myself, I usually do an Advent Bible study, and try to only do one. Sometimes, I get so excited, I sign up for too many and find myself struggling to keep up — the absolute opposite of how I want to study the Bible during Advent. I also read verses with my children each day, with a longer reading on Advent Sundays. This year, our church gave us a calendar, but I’ve also downloaded some and created my own.
Christmas cookies
No one, and I mean no one, would ever call my Christmas cookies beautiful. They are usually misshapen and erratically decorated. That’s because a few years ago I stopped trying to create photo-worthy cookie plates and now just offer ones that taste better than they look. I let the kids do most of the work and try not to hover or correct. The perfectionist in me struggles, but this tradition is for my kids more than me. This is one of their favorite things to do all season, as I’m sure it is for all children — sprinkle stealing and all.
Elf on the Shelf
This is can be a lot of fun. My kids love trying to find her first thing in the morning. The only snag comes when I forget to move her in the night and the kids ask why she’s in the same place as yesterday (oops). Luckily, they are still young enough to believe my on-the-fly explanations and then I pay more attention to her placement over the next few days. You can use her as extra incentive for your kids to behave well, but we just enjoy the game of it. I love seeing the creative ideas people have had and the elaborate scenes they stage and post online, too.
Christmas music
Whether you like contemporary or traditional, instrumental or the Tabernacle choir, playing Christmas music is a great tradition. I know that it can be tiresome when every store starts playing the same 40 songs from Thanksgiving until New Year’s, but playing your favorites can make all the difference.
Right now, I’m enjoying the Jazz Christmas station on my Amazon music. And I never miss a chance to listen to my Christmas in Sarajevo album from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Play what you love and create the ambiance in your home that makes Christmas special for your family.
Christmas dinner
This may sound strange, but we don’t have a big feast. Instead, we enjoy our favorites. One year, I had hot pot on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, my husband usually makes loco mocos and the kids have muffins for breakfast. It’s comfort food and snacking all day. I figure I can push the vegetables on December 26th. Christmas is a day to sit around in your pajamas, laughing and relaxing, not slaving in the kitchen. But if you prefer a big spread, then go for it! Every family does things their own way, and it’s not the food that makes it special, it’s the people.
Christmas movies
Do you have some favorite Christmas movies that you watch year after year? Us, too! We don’t miss A Charlie Brown Christmas and one of my absolute favorites was Never Say Goodbye. My father always watches Scrooge (1951). And it’s just not Christmas without It’s a Wonderful Life. Whichever ones you choose, make sure to cuddle up close with the family and enjoy. This is how we spend our weekend nights in December.
Christmas traditions are one of the most important parts of the holiday. They gather us closer to our family and friends and give us time to focus on the nativity of Jesus. I hope these traditions from our house inspire your own and add to your blessed holiday.
What Christmas traditions do you love doing each year? I’m always looking for great ideas so leave a comment below!
Looking for more posts about Christmas and the holidays? Check out these:
How to Manage Holiday Stress & Spend Less
Christmas Books and Movies for the Whole Family
What are the 12 Days of Christmas? And how to celebrate them
How to Keep Post-Holiday Clutter from Taking Over Your Home
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