Reflecting on the holiday seasons of our childhood often brings up cherished memories–twinkling lights, festive treats, precious time spent with close family members, and heartwarming family holiday traditions that made each year special. Did your family have holiday traditions that turned ordinary days into extraordinary moments? Do those memories continue to fill your heart with joy as you think about the holidays of the past?
In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, family holiday traditions serve as anchors, grounding us and connecting us to something greater than ourselves—family, love, comfort, shared experiences, and a sense of community.
As we navigate our parenting journey, we take on the role of giving the gift and magic of our own holiday family traditions. Just as children love the predictability of routines and schedules, children also love the comfort and stability that traditions bring to their lives. According to Psych Central, “Children crave the comforts and security that comes with traditions and predictability.”[i] Family holiday traditions provide a comforting rhythm to the holiday hustle, reminding us all to slow down, savor the moment, and enjoy the warmth of being together.
In your household, I hope you already have at least a few of your own unique and magical family holiday traditions! Our children are still very young so we are still adding to our list of family traditions each year. If you’d like to add to your family holiday tradition repertoire, I’ve put together a list of fun holiday traditions for families. Maybe you’ll find a new family holiday tradition to start this year!
25 Family Holiday Traditions Ideas
Holiday Traditions to Build Anticipation
1). Purchase a special ornament each year that represents your year as a family. My husband and I have purchased an ornament each year since we were married. It was the first holiday tradition we started together. Now, each year, our children help us choose a unique ornament for our Christmas tree.
2). If you enjoy the arts, choose holiday concerts you’d like to attend, such as The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. If a theatrical production isn’t in your budget, consider attending a local church service with lessons and carols or a local Christmas pageant.
3). If your children believe in Santa Claus, going to see Santa is a must during the holiday season. If your child is afraid of Santa, don’t push them to sit on his lap. Remember, the holidays are a season of magic and joy not terror.
4). Speaking of Santa, help your children write a letter to Santa.
5). Start an advent calendar and countdown down to Christmas. An Advent Calendar builds the anticipation, and children look forward to getting chocolate each day, too.
6). If you love Christmas lights, pile in a car with your family and go see them. Pro tip: go early in the season to beat the crowds. When we first went to see drive through lights with our children, they were two and three years old. We thought it would be a magical night! When we got there, there was a huge line of cars. Small children aren’t good at waiting, so there was a lot of whining and crying that night.
7). Track Santa on the NORAD system on Christmas Eve. What better way to watch the magic happen than to track Santa as he flies around the world!
Holiday Traditions to Spend Time with One Another
8). Schedule an evening to watch holiday favorites and drink hot cocoa–include old Christmas movies, such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. Don’t miss sharing the classics with your kids!
9). Go to a tree farm as a family to pick out the perfect tree. Children love being a part of choosing the tree that will be in their home for the season.
10). If you live in an area that gets lots of snow, tap into your inner child this winter season. Build a snowman, go ice skating, or sled down a hill with your child this holiday season.
11). For a magical night, camp out in front of the Christmas tree. Watch the twinkling lights, put on Christmas music, watch movies, and eat popcorn, cookies, and cider.
12). Read about the story of Jesus’ birth throughout the advent season. You can follow an advent scripture chart, such as THIS ONE I created just for you!
13). Plan a Christmas photo session with your family.
14). Spend an evening making homemade ornaments as a family. Bring out your inner crafter for a night and make some lasting memories with your famiy.
15). At bedtime, have a selection of holiday books to read each night-How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and The Polar Express are some of our favorites.
16). Or…if you’re an “extra” Christmas person, wrap up 24 holiday books and open one each night with your children.
17). Attend a candlelight Christmas Eve Service together as a family. There’s something special and reverent about attending a candlelight Christmas Eve service. It’s a wonderful tradition to pass along to your family.
Family Holiday Traditions that Teach Giving and Kindness
23). If you live in a neighborhood, deliver cookies or bake a dessert for your neighbors. We could all use a little more community in our lives. Spend some time getting to know the neighbors this holiday season.
24). If you like to sing (in tune or not), spread some holiday cheer by getting a group together to go Christmas Caroling in your neighborhood or at a local nursing home. Make hot apple cider and cookies for everyone. I wish more people would bring back the tradition of Christmas Caroling.
25). Teach your children the act of giving by participating and/or volunteering for a toy drive or angel tree. Let your children help pick out toys for a child in need. If your children are older, you can even help deliver them so they can see how they helped make the holiday season more joyful for a child in need.
When planning your family’s holiday traditions, prioritize activities that hold personal significance for you and your loved ones. Ensure there’s room in your schedule for the simple joys of the season as well. Remember, you don’t have to partake in every event—choose the ones that resonate most with your family and bring genuine joy.
[i] Brennan, Psy.D., Michele L. (2013 November 15). Why Holiday Traditions Might be More Important Than You Think. PsychCentral. https://psychcentral.com/blog/balanced-life/2013/11/why-holiday-traditions-might-be-more-important-than-you-think#1I