The holidays always present a special opportunity to spend quality time with your family. Every family celebrates Christmas in their own special way. Whether decorating the Christmas trees, creating snow angels, or singing carols by the fireplace, you can create beautiful memories together. Christmas family traditions consist of rituals that give your family a sense of identity. It is also a way to celebrate your family’s uniqueness and heritage. If you have been thinking of new traditions to enjoy this holiday season with your family, here are some Christmas traditions you can try.
Make a gingerbread house
While this might seem popular, many families don’t include this in their Christmas traditions. You can make a gingerbread house with your family from scratch. Whether you make it two or four weeks before Christmas, it will still be fresh and safe to eat. Apart from being a delicious confectionery made with cookie dough, candies and icing, it can also be a Christmas decoration or the ultimate Christmas baking project.
Go to a tree-lighting ceremony
These family-friendly events are organized by cities and communities every year. Various families come together to light up one big tree and share in the Christmas spirit. In some cities, musical guests are invited to treat the guests to beautiful Christmas carols. Instead of decorating your family tree and lighting it up at home, consider going to a tree lighting ceremony.
Tour the neighborhood
Take your family on a ride around your area to see all the wonderful decorations your neighbors have put up. You could wear matching outfits or sip hot chocolate while you look around and vote on the best-decorated houses. Don’t forget to take pictures for inspiration.
Exchange cookies
This idea can be a fun tradition for your extended family. You can hold a small get-together each year and ask members to bake their favorite holiday cookies to swap. That way, everyone can go home with a variety of cookies. Though the main purpose of the get-together is to exchange cookies, you can play some Christmas games over drinks.
Make Christmas donations
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have presents and new clothes on Christmas Day. The holiday season can be a perfect time to give back and teach your children the importance of helping others. Ask your family to go through their stuff and collect things to donate. There are countless charities to donate to. You can also help out at homeless shelters or make Christmas meals for homeless people in your town. Blood donations are also a good way to give. You might save a life this holiday season.
Attend a special church service
If your local church holds a special service on Christmas eve, you can make it part of your Christmas traditions. Such services are typically shorter than the average church service. Most of the time, the congregation offers Christmas prayers available here or sings carols to celebrate the season. Other special services your local church might have are Christmas plays and concerts.
Get crafty
Have a blast making something crafty with your family for Christmas. It could be a wreath for the front door or DIY ornaments for your Christmas tree. You can also make customized Christmas cards for your friends and neighbors. Making something with your hands will have your creative juices flowing, and the kids will love it.
Christmas trips
Have you considered traveling to a new destination every Christmas season with your family? If not, why not try it if it’s within your budget? It would be a great chance to experience Christmas traditions in different places, countries and cultures. Make sure you plan ahead to make your trip as smooth as possible. You can visit Disney’s park and witness their themed parade and fireworks or take a family picture in front of the giant lego tree in Legoland.
Go ice-skating
If you haven’t tried ice skating yet, consider adding this to your traditions. Enjoy the chilly air and icy surface with your family at your local ice skating rink. You can pre-book and spend some time on the ice de-stressing. If your family has never tried skating on ice, this could be a bonding activity where you learn together. While you learn to skate together, you will release endorphins that will make you happy.
Have a Christmas movie marathon
Cosy up on a cold day in your Christmas sweaters and enjoy all your best-loved Christmas movies with your family. You can also cuddle with your hot chocolate and cookies while enjoying your family time, watching all the Christmas classics back-to-back.
You can try any of these special Christmas traditions if you are looking for new ideas to spice things up this holiday season.