With the holidays approaching soon, it’s important to use this time to focus on our family, especially our kids. If you’re like me, your toddler may just be beginning to show interest in Christmas for the first time. This year, start some simple Christmas traditions with your kids that will create memories that last a lifetime.
If you aren’t sure where to start, just remember to keep it simple. Today I will share tons of fun ideas for different kinds of Christmas traditions to start with your kids ranging from DIY, baking, and more! Pick something your kids are already interested in, or try something completely new. And remember, don’t worry about chasing perfection, all that matters is making memorable moments with your family.
The Importance of Holiday Traditions
When we think back on the holidays, some of our best memories come from not just the presents, but from the things our families always did together. For me, I remember decorating the tree together and “catalog shopping” for Christmas. Now that I’m a mom, I want to create our own special family memories and having a list like this is the perfect way to get started!
Quick disclosure: This part of the post will contain affiliate links. If you purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read the full disclosure here.
Let’s explore some simple and fun Christmas traditions that you can start with your family this year.
Indoor and DIY Christmas Traditions to Start with Your Kids
Here are some of the easiest indoor and DIY Christmas traditions that are super easy to start:
- Buying or making a yearly family ornament: What better way to commemorate each year than by buying or making a yearly family ornament? We get ones similar to these keepsakes every year with our names, but you can also DIY your own!
- Decorating: Choosing a day to begin Christmas decorating is an easy and fun tradition to start with your kids. Many choose to start Thanksgiving night, but this can be any time you and your family choose and it’s a fun way to get the kids involved.
- Catalog Shopping: Does anyone remember getting a Christmas catalog as a kid and circling the gifts you wanted? That’s a really fun memory for me that we did and perfect for young kids.
- Writing Letters to Santa: Another simple Christmas tradition to start with your kids is writing letters to Santa! Super cute if your kids are into Santa.
- Advent Calendars: Advent calendars are a fun way to count down to the holiday! From chocolates to toys or even DIY advent calendars, we love to do one each year!
For some fresh and creative advent calendar ideas, check out this blog post.
- Christmas baking: Cookies and cakes are definitely on the menu. Use a family recipe or check out my Christmas cookie recipes Pinterest board for some of my favorites.
- Special Christmas food and snacks: Make the holiday even more special by introducing a traditional meal, food, or snack exclusive to the season. We only have hot chocolate around wintertime and we also love peppermint bark!
- Elf on the shelf: This is a newer tradition that has caught on in popularity and would be great for slightly older kids. You can use Chatgpt to help you plan a month of Elf on the shelf ideas to make it easy on yourself!
- Christmas Pickle: My mother-in-law introduced us to this one. Hide a pickle ornament somewhere in the tree, and whoever finds it gets an extra special gift.
Take the Christmas Traditions Outdoors!
Consider incorporating some of these outdoor activities when deciding on what Christmas traditions to start with your kids.
- Visit Santa: A must-do for Christmas! Visiting Santa and telling him what you want for Christmas. Don’t forget to snap a photo.
- Zoolumination/Chinese Lantern Festivals: This is a new one for us. I found out about Zoolumination this year at the Nashville Zoo and it appears that there are many Chinese lantern celebrations this time of year many with holiday themes!
- Christmas Parades: A Christmas parade is the ultimate celebration of Christmas. Bundle up the kids and take part in a fun local tradition.
- Christmas Pictures: Commemorate the holidays with themed pictures!
- Caroling: Join a caroling group and spread Christmas cheer with your friends and neighbors.
- Christmas tree lightings: Many local communities hold tree lightings where a large tree is lit to celebrate the season.
- Local community activities: Check out your local community boards on Facebook to find out what activities are happening this time of year. You’d be surprised what can be found totally for free. This is a great way to get involved with your community.
- Christmas sightseeing: Checking out houses that are decorated with light and inflatables or even traveling to a drive-through light show can be a unique tradition to start with your kids this year.
- Go ice skating: Gather the kids and go ice skating as a family.
Christmas Traditions that Entertain
These Christmas traditions revolve around entertainment. Here’s a chance to watch, read, and listen to the classics.
- Watching favorite holiday films: There is an abundance of holiday movies for all ages covering every genre. Take this time to establish some family favorite films. We like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman!
- Reading Christmas books: Reading with your little ones is an all-year-round favorite. During the holidays, read the classics in your cozy pajamas with a cup of hot chocolate! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Christmas music: The telltale sign of the season, crank up your favorite version of the holiday classics!
Explore Christmas Traditions from Around the World
Introducing your kids to traditions from other cultures around the world can be a unique Christmas tradition to start with your kids. Here are some interesting ones:
- Christmas Crackers: Christmas crackers are a tradition from the UK that we participate in every year. It’s fun to snap the crackers and find the toy and paper crown inside.
- Christmas BBQ: To change things up, take some inspiration from Australia and New Zealand and have a barbecue for Christmas dinner.
- Christmas Foods: Trying different Christmas foods from other countries is a great way to learn about other places. In Japan, they eat fried chicken for Christmas, and in Finland, they have a special Christmas porridge.
- Learn about other holidays: There are other holidays this time of year that your kids can learn about as well.
Sharing the Spirit of Giving Back
Giving back to the community can be a great Christmas tradition to start with your kids this year. Here are some ideas to achieve this:
- Do a toy/clothing donation: Help other children in the community and make room for Christmas gifts by doing a big toy and clothing donation.
- Do a coat drive: Save coats from last year and donate them to those in need.
- Find a charity to support: Teach your children the value of gratitude and charity by spending time at a rescue mission or shopping for gifts for underprivileged members of your local community.
Get Your Kids Involved in Choosing Christmas Traditions
Letting your children choose the activities for your traditions allows them to feel involved and shows them that you value their opinions. It also makes the experience more fun and memorable for them because they were able to contribute.
When it comes to finding Christmas traditions to start with your kids, the most important thing to remember is to focus on making memories. Start small and build on these traditions over time. Remember, traditions don’t need to be perfect, they only need to be heartfelt.
Do you have any Christmas traditions special to your family? What are your favorite traditions from when you were a kid? Or are there any traditions that you would like to start with your children this year? Share with us in the comments!
