If you’re looking for a little holiday inspiration and fun Christmas traditions to start with your loved ones this year, I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing 25 Memorable Christmas Traditions that are focused on celebrating the real reason for the season.
It’s that time of year to start planning for the holidays! If you’re anything like me Christmas planning starts late October to early November.
I’m talking about everything from party plans to activities, to photos and outfits to food menus! Literally, all the things.
If you checked out my Fall Bucket List Ideas then you know just how much thought goes into planning a memorable and realistic holiday season.
There is something so special about Christmas, am I right?! The season is so full of love and joy that it’s hard not to be mesmerized by it.
For that very reason, I want to soak up as much of that cheerfulness and magic as possible and share it with my family.
Whether you’re looking to add new traditions for Christmas or have no idea where to start, I’m here to help! I’m sharing 25 Christmas Traditions to start in 2023. You’ll find these Christmas traditions are broken up into different categories, just in case you’re looking for something specific.
Classic Christmas Traditions
1. Christmas Family Photos
It’s never too early to take those holiday photos! Let’s be honest, we probably don’t take enough family photos as we should, but they are so fun and special to look back on. Get your family all dressed up in matching or coordinating outfits and take the picture! Get them professionally done or take them yourself, either way, you’ll have them for years to look back on.
2. DIY Advent Calendar
Advent calendars are a fun way to get the kids involved and countdown to Christmas. While you can buy advent calendars, it’s even more fun to make your own! You can get really creative and use boxes, bags, or drawers and fill them with whatever you like. I love filling each bag with a little toy or treat, along with one activity that we will accomplish that day.
3. Deck the Halls
It wouldn’t truly be the holidays without bringing some cheer into your home. Turn on your holiday playlist, pull out those bins and get to decorating! Whatever your Christmas style is, take the time to decorate your home, so you can enjoy it all season long.
4. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
A classic tradition that breeds a little family competition! Have fun and bring out all the colorful icing, sprinkles and decorations. Not only is it fun, but it shows off everyone’s different personalities and styles!
Pro Tip: Since gingerbread houses are mainly for show (and not for eating), have them already assembled with hot glue, instead of icing. That way it’s a little less messy, ensures that it won’t fall apart, and is all ready to go for decorating!
5. Send Christmas Cards
It’s so easy to get caught up with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, especially in a world of social media. Take the time to sit down, reconnect and send something meaningful. Whether you send those Christmas family photos or a letter of good wishes, you’ll be sending some Christmas magic and cheer to your family and friends.
Here is some festive stationery to write your letters on.
6. Christmas Breakfast
All the chaos from Christmas morning sure does whip up an appetite! Prepare some of your family breakfast favorites, like cinnamon rolls, waffles, and eggs! That Christmas morning smell from the kitchen will be memorable no matter how old your kids get.
Christian Christmas Traditions
7. (Christ-Centered) Elf on the Shelf
We all see those elves getting into mischief every December. It is a fun tradition, but I wanted to make it more Christian-based and teach my children the true meaning of Christmas.
If you want to keep your Christmas, nativity focused, I highly recommend checking out Etsy to find some beautiful printables. This one is my favorite.
It’s just another way to countdown to Christmas and keep Christ at the center of the holiday. But whether you go the traditional or Christ-centered route, just remember one thing. Don’t forget to move the elf!!
8. Write a Letter to Jesus
While writing letters to Santa and leaving snacks out for him and his reindeer is fun for the littles, it’s important to remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Sit down at the table with your family and write a letter to Jesus. Instead of a wishlist, write a thank you note to Jesus and fill it up with gratitude and memories from that year. Make it special with this Christmas printable stationery, address the envelopes to Heaven, and store them away in a special place to look back on when the kids get older.
9. Happy Birthday Jesus
Something that we started doing recently is making a birthday cake (or cupcakes) for Jesus and singing Happy Birthday. We do this right before we open presents on Christmas morning and save the cake for an after-dinner dessert or take it to whoever is hosting dinner that year.
10. Jesse Tree
Another version of a Christ-centered advent. Each day you read a bible story about a different person from Jesus’ family tree and hang an ornament to symbolize that story. Each story leads up to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Family Time
11. Host a Holiday Party
Throw a holiday party with family and friends. Make it a pitch-in where everyone brings their favorite dish, dessert or drink. Or you can simply make it a gift exchange by doing Secret Santa or playing White Elephant. However you choose to celebrate, make sure you take tons of photos to capture the moment.
12. Bake & Make Cookie Boxes
It’s time to get in the kitchen and get baking! Make your favorite Christmas cookies and some new ones, package them up in a cute box or tin, with a little note and give them away to family and friends.
13. Create a Christmas Eve Box
This is probably my favorite Christmas tradition. The Christmas Eve box is a family gift that everyone gets to open the night before Christmas. For us it includes, matching PJs that we all change into, slippers or socks, and a new family game that we get to play. We put on a Christmas movie or playlist in the background as we play our new game and enjoy family time before bed.
Put whatever you want in your box or you can simply let everyone open one gift from under the tree.
14. Build a Cozy Christmas Fort
Build a fort with Christmas lights, fluffy pillows and soft blankets. Then make some delicious treats and have a Christmas movie marathon. Do this with your significant other or with the kids and have a day full of laughter and fun.
15. Hot Cocoa Board
There’s nothing better than a warm festive mug full of hot chocolate. Prepare a tray filled with festive marshmallows, sprinkles, cookies, chocolates, and more! Make your favorite batch of store-bought or homemade hot cocoa, pull out those Christmas mugs and have fun customizing the flavor.
16. DIY Christmas Ornaments
Get the kids involved and make your own ornaments. There are a million ways to handcraft and customize your own ornaments, check out these ornament diys. They also make the perfect gift for littles to give to their grandparents.
Events & Activities
17. Polar Express Train Ride
Hot cocoa, dancing chefs, and a visit from Santa all on a magical train ride! This is a fun take on the classic children’s story (and movie) and a tradition that your children will love. Do some research and find one in your nearest small town. They normally run from November through December, but tickets sell out quickly, so stay on it and set your alarm!
18. See the Nutcracker Ballet
A beloved family tradition that adds to the magic of Christmas. The beautiful storytelling through dance and classical music will surely transport you to another world.
19. Go See a Light Show
There are so many fun Christmas light shows and displays put on by museums, fairgrounds, downtown, and even neighborhoods! You can choose to walk or drive through the show, either way seeing Christmas lights is a must!
20. Attend a Christmas Concert
You can find so many local events and concerts during the holiday season. From live bands and orchestras to your kid’s Christmas plays or concerts. Get all the Christmas feels and make sure to add this to your to-do list with the family!
21. Christmas at the Zoo
Visiting the zoo during the holidays is a must for us. Not only is it another excuse to see beautiful decor and lights, but they also have a lot of fun activities for the kids, like festive treats, fun rides, winter animals, cookie decorating with Ms. Claus and so much more! Be sure to see what your local zoo is offering this year.
22. Go Sledding
Snow may not be everyone’s favorite, but there is so much fun that can be had in it! We love playing in the snow, specifically sledding. Even if you don’t get snow where you live, you can find some awesome indoor snow parks!
Selfless Christmas Traditions
23. Donate to a Toy Drive
Teach your children the importance of giving and have them donate some of their things to a local toy drive. This not only teaches them to give and be kind but also makes room for all the new toys they will receive.
24. Adopt a Family for Christmas
Everyone deserves to experience the joy and magic of Christmas. You can adopt a family for the holidays by reaching out to different charities, the Salvation Army, and even churches.
You can also find an Angel Tree in some of your local grocery stores like Walmart, where you pick a tag from off the tree which gives you information about a child’s wishlist that you can purchase for them.
25. Volunteer
Get your family involved in the community this year! Check out local shelters, food banks, and churches to see how you can help out this holiday season.
I hope you found some fun Christmas traditions that you can add to your list! Let me know how you like to celebrate Christmas with family.
xoxo, ave
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