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I don’t know about you, but Christmas was always my favorite holiday of the year. Everyone was in a wonderful mood during the month of December. What I loved most about Christmas were our traditions. Every year I looked forward to experiencing our traditions. It’s what made our holiday so special and magical.
When I became a mom, I wanted my children to feel the same way about Christmas that I did. I wanted them to feel the magic of the holiday. I felt the traditions is what made that magic. As they get older, it gets more difficult to get those traditions in before Christmas comes, however, it is still a priority. I also share custody of my 2 oldest children, so it makes it even more difficult to get our traditions in.
I pick and choose the traditions that I feel will give us long lasting memories.
Here are some traditions that will make your Christmas even more magical.
1. Look at Christmas Light Displays
One of my favorite traditions was driving an hour away to see the most amazing display of lights. It was blocks and blocks of decorated houses. So find a neighborhood or display that you can take your children to in order to see a spectacular sight.
2. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
This was something I started with my own children and never did as a child. Even my teenagers ask to decorate Gingerbread houses. To add to the fun, allow them to smash them at the end of the season. (please use precaution and be extra safe when allowing them to smash them.)
3. Decorate Cookies
Decorating cookies was a tradition I still remember to this day. I loved eating the dough, but I loved that I would spend some time with my brothers especially with our crazy, busy schedules. My 5 year old asks me even before Christmas decorations are up if we can decorate Christmas cookies. I suggest finding a good sugar cookie recipe and sticking to it. There are many that do not give the best cookies.
4. Buy matching Christmas pajamas
I know this seems so cheesy or cliche, but the photos are worth it. You can even give these out on Christmas Eve as a gift! When your children stop growing, you can continue the tradition or ask them to wear the ones from the previous year if they
5. Hot Cocoa Night by the fire or watching a Christmas movie
Nothing says Christmas or Winter better than a cup of hot cocoa. Why not spice it up a bit with a fun little hot cocoa bar? Keep it simple, but keep it fun. The kids will enjoy it.
6. Find a real Christmas tree at a Christmas tree lot
This has been a tradition my husband has had for years. When we moved in together and started our own family, we continued this tradition. We don’t go to a fancy tree lot or tree farm, we go to a local hardware store. However, we all agree on a tree we love every year. My husband then cuts off branches or the trunk and saves it. He wraps it with rope and writes a memory about that year. While we cannot put up the tree too early, it is a fun and wonderful smelling tradition.
7. Make Reindeer food and put it out on the lawn on Christmas Eve night
This is such a fun and easy task. Get some glitter, oatmeal, and sprinkles. Have you little one add some to either a ziplock bag or a small bowl and mix it all together. Then before your little ones go to bed, go outside and sprinkle the reindeer food all over the lawn. The reindeers will see the glitter and then can have something to munch on while Santa is delivering the toys.
8. Elf on the Shelf or anything equivalent
I know Elf on the Shelf is not for everyone, however, I do not use her as being a devious type. There are times she will do funny things, but for the most part, she is a fun tradition where my 5 year old is always wondering what Elfie is up to every morning. Elfie will also bring my children small gifts here and there. The wonderful part of Elf on the Shelf is that you determine how you want the elf to act. There is nothing that says the elf has to be a devious little one all the time and you do not have to use the elf as a threatening tool. It’s just another tradition that helps keep the spirit alive. Don’t have an Elf on the Shelf yet, here is one on Amazon.
9. Donate to Toys for Tots (Have your children pick out the toys you will donate)
Teaching your children to give to others is a wonderful gift. Get them involved so they are excited about doing something kind and thoughtful for those who are less fortunate.
10. Reading the bible of the Christmas story on Christmas morning before unwrapping gifts
For those who are believers, you know Jesus is the reason for the season. On the morning of December 25th, read the story in Luke. This helps everyone remember the reason we give and receive gifts. And if you have a manger scene, you can wait to add Jesus until after you read the story of His birth.
11. Adding Jesus to the manger scene on Christmas morning
Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus wasn’t born until Christmas Day? My family has a tradition where we add Jesus to the manger scenes (we all had our own) after we read the story in the bible. We did this before we did anything on Christmas, considering He is the reason for the season.
12. Go caroling
Gather a group of friends or family together and go around singing Christmas carols. Either go around your neighborhod or get in the car and drive to your friends’ houses or family. Besides the price of gas and maybe your diginity (if you can’t sing like me), it’s a priceless gift.
13. Have each child purchase a small gift for a sibling (secret sibling Santa)
If you have a lot of children, this is the easiest way to have them give to each other without having to spend a lot of money when each child gives a gift to all of their siblings. Let them draw names and decide what they want to get the sibling they chose. You can make it a fun day out while you go with them to get those gifts.
14. Make ornaments
There are many wonderful ideas out there when it comes to making your homemade ornaments. It is so much fun to see them every year as you decorate your tree. Don’t forget to add the year.
15. Decorate the tree together
If there’s one thing everyone should be doing to help decorate, it’s decorating the tree. To look back at the ornaments and reminesce is always a family favorite.
16. Make a special breakfast on Christmas morning such as cinnamon rolls
Cinnamon rolls is a tradition in my house. I found a recipe almost 18 years ago and I absolutely love it. Homemade cinnamon rolls is a hit at our house on Christmas morning. I do not make these any other day of the year, making it even more special. However, you can do overnight french toast (easy to just throw in the oven), egg dish that is easy to assemble and bake, or whatever else you have time to make. Just remember, don’t take too much time away from the festivities. Prepare it ahead of time that way you are just popping it in the oven.
17. Donate old toys to charity
This is a fabulous way to get rid of the old in order to bring in the new. It also teaches your children that is important to donate to a good cause. Besides Salvation Army, there are other organizations out there that take gently used toys that give back to the community or Veterans.
18. Make fudge or other candy to give to friends/family
Unless you do not like chocolate, this is an excuse to have some while you are giving to others. You can make fudge, rocky road, or other candy and box it up to give to others. If you are on a budget, this is a budget friendly gift idea for family or friends.
19. Advent Calendars
Either purchasing one where you fill every year or purchasing the chocolate advent calendars, your family will enjoy counting down every day. Here is a beautiful advent calendar from Target you can start this tradition with.
20. Leave cookies, milk, and carrots out for Santa and his Reindeers
This is a tradition that many families do. Poor Santa works hard all night long and needs his cookies for energy and the milk to wash it all down. But do not forget the reindeers, they need some fuel as well. Get this cute plate and cup you can always use year after year.
21. Collect or start a Christmas Village
Find a village set you like and start collecting it. One of my favorites that my mom had collected was The Original Snow Village. I loved how beautiful the pieces were and how detailed they were. The only downside was how expensive they were. If you go to Hobby Lobby, you will find more reasonably priced villages. As a child, I remember going to my grandparents home and playing with their village.
22. Put up mistletoe
Did you know that mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant. You have probably driven by many trees and seen mistletoe without knowing it. When I was little, we were camping during Thanksgiving and noticed some mistletoe on the side of the road in a tree. My brothers were able to climb up in the tree and cut it off. We then sold it outside of a local store. If you aren’t lucky enough to find some, buy some and put it up so you can keep with tradition and kiss your loved one.
23. Open one present on Christmas Eve
There are endless possibilties of the presents you can have your children open. You can give them the new pajamas along with snacks and a movie. You can let them choose a random gift. Whatever you choose to do, it’ll start t
24. Hide a pickle ornament
This is a German tradition where a pickle ornament is hidden in the tree and whoever finds it gets a surprise gift. This is a beautiful pickle ornament from Red Dress.
25. Host an Ugly Sweater Party
Invite friends and family to an Ugly Sweater Party. Make it a contest and have your guests vote for the best sweater. Just make sure you have a rule that nobody can vote for themselves.
26. Write Santa a Letter
Writing a letter is a memory I have kept to this day. Asking Santa for my gift was the start of my holiday season. Now, I get to see my children’s eyes light up when they begin writing to Santa about the presents they want. Macy’s has the Santa Mailboxes that you can drop it off at.
27. Get Picture with Santa
What says holidays better than a picture with Santa? And even better is when Santa cries with the baby. These memories will last forever!
Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you are making long lasting and fun memories!
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