I know loads of families who have amazing Christmas traditions. We do have a traditional Christmas day – which we do each year. You can find out what ours are by listening to the Christmas Traditions Podcast on The Parenting View. However, I thought I’d write a post giving you guys some ideas on what you can do.
If you are looking to start a Christmas tradition with your family, here are some ideas that work well with kids:
1. CHRISTMAS EVE BOX
A decorative / fun looking box which usually has a Christmas DVD in it, some yummy treats for the kids AND Santa, reindeer food and sometimes PJs or a soft toy.
2. CHRISTMAS PJS
The whole family can get in on this – everyone gets the same set of PJs (but in their own size) and you get some amazing photos together on Christmas.
3. ADVENT CALENDAR
Whether or not it contains chocolate, having an advent calendar to help count-down to Christmas is a fun thing to do with kids. Whether you start from the 1st December, or in the middle of the month – it’s still fun!
4. CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Pull out all of those classic Christmas movies and start watching them with the kids! Or have a family Christmas night – perhaps on Christmas Eve. Looking for some movie suggestions – check out this Christmas Movie list!
5. YEARLY DECORATIONS
Each year take your kids out and pick out one decoration each – or pick it out yourself. So each year you get another decoration for your tree to commemorate the year that’s been!
6. CHRISTMAS BAKING
Check out my Christmas Pinterest Board for exciting and fun baking ideas that you can do with your kids. Or perhaps make a Puff Pastry Christmas tree!
7. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Go and visit an area in your neighbourhood that has amazing Christmas lights. Make a night of it and go out for dinner afterwards too!
8. GIVE BACK
Go through last years toys, or old toys, and donate a bunch to charity. Or if you’re in a position to do it, support local charities together as a family. Use it as a way to teach your children about giving to those less fortunate.
9. LETTERS TO SANTA / WHAT KIDS WANT
Exactly what it says – get your kids to write letters to Santa. OR get them to write down what they want for Christmas and save it somewhere. Remember to pop the year on it so in later years you can look back on it!
10. ELF ON THE SHELF
Most of you will have heard of Elf on the Shelf but if you haven’t, it’s basically a small elf toy that you put in different places each day and it’s often funny. It’s way too much effort for me, but I know a lot of people really enjoy it each year, and their kids really look forward to the elf arriving. Check out Pinterest for ideas on where to put the elf.
11. WRAPPING PAPER
This might sound weird, but each kid gets their presents wrapped in the same wrapping paper (but each kid unique). None of the presents are marked with names. Instead, put a small piece of each child’s wrapping paper in the bottom of their Christmas stocking. Makes for a bit of fun searching for the piece that’s theirs, and then discovering which set of presents are theres!
12. CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST
Have a fantastic and amazing Christmas breakfast! Include fruit, sweet treats and of course French Toast Roll Ups or even Baked French Toast!
To hear about our Christmas traditions, listen to my latest podcast on The Parenting View!
——————-
