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“Christmas isn’t an idea, it’s a state of mind.”
This is something I always think of when the holidays start coming around. I love the last few months of the year when the holidays come around. Growing up, our house was filled with decorations holiday movies, and music. It was so fun and the memories that we did as a family even just of getting decorations out is something that has followed me into adulthood. I still love the holidays. Christmas is my favorite time of year. The feeling of giving, the decorations and the beautiful lights, everyone coming together to celebrate, it just makes me happy. These are some ideas that we have started of Christmas traditions our kids will hopefully remember when they grow up.
Now I know there is a debate on when people put up decorations. While I would love to get all my decorations out early, I don’t. I set my tree the weekend before Thanksgiving because I love taking my time with it. It takes a whole day to just do the tree. Then everything else comes out the day after Thanksgiving. I usually put any outside lights up if I have a warm weekend/day in November but I won’t turn them on until after Thanksgiving. I really don’t want to be out when it’s freezing putting up my lights!
These are still memories that I have from being a kid. My dad always did the outside lights and I remember him allowing us to help him. We would hold the lights so they wouldn’t get tangled or when old enough we could climb on the roof with him and hang out. The time spent setting up the tree, we would each get to pick out a certain number of ornaments from our ornament boxes to fill the tree. I love sitting in the front room with no lights on except the tree.
Here are some Christmas traditions your kids will remember if you want to start some simple family traditions to bring the joy and spirit alive for your kids and hopefully make memories they will take with them through the years.
Set Up Decorations
Blare some music, or put on a holiday movie and bring our all the boxes of decor. This is fun because it allows younger kids to get involved by helping get a tree up or put some pillows/blankets out.
Watch Holiday Movies Together
I definitely have my favorites that I have to watch each year in order to really feel in the spirit. Pick some that make you feel good and want to share that experience with your little one.
Bake Cookies
This is a time-consuming one if you are making cookies from scratch like I do but you can always do the premade ones. It’s fun to share the time with my little guy and he loves to help make them. We all sit down as a family to decorate them as well.
Local Light Display
Our local zoo was ranked 2nd in the nation in 2023 by USA Today’s for its holiday light display. We always love going at least once a season. They have so many displays plus activities for kids and adults to partake in.
Volunteer
Look up local kitchens or rescue places that take donations or if you are able to volunteer. This helps teach young ones to give back and also that their time is more valuable than an actual gift.
Listen to Christmas Music
We always had christmas music playing. It was fun to always sing along. There are certain songs that will always remind me of my mom for how much she loved to sing them.
Wrap Gifts Together
I have my little guy help wrap gifts. I want him to be involved in it. I’ll take him to the store to pick out what he wants to give dad for the holiday then I have him wrap the gift, with some instructions. He is always so proud and excited for dad to open his gift on Christmas morning. Now he doesn’t get to be involved in all the wrapping but some of it.
Drive Around to See Holiday Lights
Grab some hot chocolate, get in your jammies, pile into the car, and put on the Christmas music. This is easy to do and lights up your little ones eyes when they see all the different lights.
Read Holiday-Themed Books
We have a few that we save and read before bed throughout December. They go along with the message of gift-giving, helping others, some are fun ones, and others meaningful.
Read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve.
Since he was a baby, I’ve read him this book on Christmas eve before he goes to bed. It’s a nice little last cuddle time with him while he still have the excitement of Christmas morning to look forward to.
Leave Out Cookies and Milk
Those cookies you baked? Leave them out for Santa on Christmas Eve. We also leave out carrots for the reindeer. You can find a set of a plate and cup for them to put them on.
Matching Pajamas
I love the idea of having all of us in matching pajamas but I don’t want to spend the money on them. We do similar pajama pants of buffalo plaid then a black shirt. I love that its our way of being matching without fully matching. This year my dad is coming up from Florida and will be with us for Christmas, he said he will have his own pair of buffalo plaid pants to match us!
“Remember if Christmas isn’t found in your hearts, you won’t find it under a tree.” -Charlotte Carpenter
Creating family traditions is about fostering a connection, building memories, and giving your family something meaningful to look forward to. Start small, be intentional, and let your family’s personality shape each tradition. Over time, these shared moments will grow in significance. They have for me from my childhood and have shaped my traditions with my family today. This can take some planning to start some Christmas traditions your kids will remember but most just need to be spent together to create memories without even trying.
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