Looking back on Christmas as a child you will likely remember all the magic and wonder during this time of year. Now that Christmas time is here, you want to create the same memories for your family. However, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can be stressful and sometimes time passes by so quickly that you forget to do your favorite traditions. So wether you are here to find a new tradition or simply need a bucket list of must do items, I rounded up my top 20 traditions to help make this the best Christmas ever.
1. Advent Countdown
Pick out a fun Advent calendar from a store or make your own to count down the days until Christmas. You can include candy, trinkets, or even activities for the kids to find each day. There are over 60 Advent activities to do with your family plus several calendar ideas at Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendars.
2. Book Countdown
Wrap 25 festive books for your kids to open one each day leading up to Christmas. What little kid doesn’t love unwrapping a present? I have listed over 50 of our favorite Christmas books to help you build your library too at Christmas Book Countdown Tradition.
3. Elf on the Shelf
You either love it or you hate it. We love it and the fun you can create each day with your kids. Start with a simple Elf on the Shelf book and kit from just about any store. Pinterest will help you with tons of ideas on how to position your Elf. There is endless amounts of mischief to be done. Just be prepared to think on your feet as there will be questions that you will need an answer. For example, when you forget to move it one night! It will happen, trust me. We also mad a fairy/Elf door in our hallway that we decorate for every holiday, Christmas through Halloween. Check out the post Elf on the Shelf Door Tradition for ways to build and decorate your own.
4. Elf on the Shelf Breakfast
Bring your Elf on the Shelf back with a festive breakfast. Have your Elf bring them their favorite breakfast food and arrive in style. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want. I tend to go on the more elaborate side of things with a Disney themed Elf Breakfast and a Grinch themed Elf Breakfast. Be sure to check them out for creative ideas to add to yours.
5. One New Ornament
Each year we take the boys to pick out one new ornament. It is fun to see what resonates with them each year. For our first Polar Express year, they all got a train ornament and for the year that we went to Disney, they got a Disney character ornament. Hallmark is a great place to start. The boys add theor new ornaments to the trees in their rooms. I plan to let the boys take all their ornaments when they leave home.
6. Polar Express Ride
Taking your family on a Polar Express Ride is a magical experience. We have done one every year for as long as I can remember. Our favorite one is in French Lick, IN. We have rode one in 4 different locations but this one is by far the best. Search the area around you for your opportunity to book a golden ticket to ride.
7. Sponsor a Child
Whether it is Operation Shoe Box or a local organization, help make a child’s Christmas by giving to those in need. The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, and the Salvation Army are a few to consider as well. My hope is that they will find the joy in giving just like I do.
8. Gingerbread Houses
Oh the smells and the joy that goes into decorating a gingerbread house really add to the Christmas season. Most stores have pre-made kits for you to choose from in many shapes and sizes. I always load up on extra candy like mini candy canes, gumdrops, and peppermints too. This year I found several sugary items in the Christmas baking section to help decorate our houses.
9. Letters to Santa
Have your kids write a letter to Santa and include what they want for Christmas. The main reason that I do this one is to make sure I get the right gift for them. Sneaky right? We also found these adorable shrinking Elf on the Shelf letters last year and the boys thought they were amazing.
10. Volunteer as a Family
Find a charity or organization to volunteer at as a family. It is a great teaching tool for the kids to learn about the world. For my boys, it opens their eyes to see that not everyone is blessed in same way that they are and we need to help others.
11. Sleigh/Carriage Ride
Book a sleigh or carriage ride to sit back and enjoy the ride. We are so busy doing all the things during this time of year that we need to take a moment to relax and take it all in. We schedule a carriage ride every year to tour the lights around our downtown area in our city.
12. Christmas Movie Marathon
Pop the popcorn, grab your favorite blanket, and snuggle in for a Christmas movie marathon. Pick some classics like A Christmas Story or Home Alone and add in some new ones like The Grinch or Frozen to your collection.
13. Santa Sacks
Each year the boys fill their Santa sacks with old and unwanted toys and leave it by the tree for Santa. Santa takes the old toys back to the North Pole and replaces them with new toys. Genius way to get rid of clutter, right? Find out where to get your own Santa sacks and how to introduce this idea by going to Start a Santa Sack Tradition.
14. Cookie Decorating
If your kids are like mine, they beg daily to make cookies and decorate them. We get out all the cookie cutters and sprinkles, turn on the Christmas music, and start baking. We usually wait until right before a big family dinner so we can take them to share.
15. Christmas Lights Tour
Map out all the houses with the coolest light displays or visit a local drive through light display to take in all the beauty of the twinkling lights. You can ride in your pajamas and even bring along hot chocolate while you enjoy the views.
16. Photo with Santa
This one goes without saying but you just have to do it. Several places will offer a chance to take a picture with Santa and some are even free. Search your local area for all the Santa sightings and get your camera ready.
17. Sleep Under the Tree
If you are like me, you could stare at the Christmas tree for hours. There is just something about it and the memories you recall. Each year we let the boys sleep under the tree for a night. They usually can’t go to sleep right away because they are too excited but these are the moments that they will remember.
18. Read the Christmas Story
For us we want the boys to know the true meaning of Christmas. It is not about Santa and all the gifts that they will be getting. It is about the birth of Jesus! We sit down with them and discuss the story behind this day and why it is so important. Jesus is the Reason!
19. Christmas Eve Box
On Christmas Eve, each kid gets a personalized box filled with new pajamas, hot chocolate, new Christmas movie, popcorn, and lots more. See what I put in their boxes and how to start this tradition clicking on a recent blog post, Christmas Eve Box Tradition.
20. Christmas Eve Service
Attend your Church’s Christmas Eve Service to remember the true meaning of Christmas and worship about the birth of Jesus.
Things are just things but creating memories to last a lifetime are priceless!
Comment with your favorite Christmas family tradition?
