If you are looking for unique and child friendly family Christmas traditions then this is for you.
While it is nice to give and bless others, the financial expenditures and exhaustive organizing that come with the holiday season can be daunting and stressful.
Instead of worrying about family togetherness and bonding, we’re worried about how much to spend on each person.
There’s a better way!
Why not start or continue some family Christmas traditions that are easy, inexpensive, and don’t require tons of planning and organizing?
Or, if they do require organizing, at least it’s the type of organizing that feels worth it in the end. If you know what I mean!
Personally, as the years go by I am learning to steer away from things that seem to take a lot of time and effort, but never seem to be worth it.
I know that list is completely individual and different for every family. Still, it’s such a relief to feel that you’ve spent your time in the best way possible.
Join me THIS WEEK in making lists of what to buy, checking them twice, and being donzo!
Family Christmas Traditions Every One Will Enjoy
Without further ado, here are my top five ideas for unique family (and friend) Christmas traditions.
I hope it gets your mind whirling with possibilities.
1. Games
One example is a candy cane hunt.
Grab a huge box of candy canes at the store and hide them around the house.
I love this idea!
My kids are young enough to appreciate this to the full potential and honestly, how else do you use up those 50 pack candy cane boxes?
I also think this will be a gift that keeps on giving because you know you’ll continue to find candy canes throughout the year :)
Other Christmas games families can play together
- Minute To Win It Games
- Santa Limbo | Put a pillow under our shirt like Santa and have a limbo competition to Christmas music
- Charades | You can print out a list of Christmas terms to act out. Get some here.
- Stocking Guessing Game | Put random things in the stocking and have everyone feel and guess.
- Decorate a person as a Christmas tree
2. DIY Christmas crackers for the big day meal
I’ve lived in both the UK and Australia and I will attest to the fun and tradition of the table cracker.
No, not the type of crackers you put on cheese, but the kind that two people pull apart together filled with goodies.
You can do it as a craft with the kids or by yourself as you listen to some Christmas music. Honestly, it’s something fun, easy, and inexpensive to do together that can even double as table decoration.
Also, you can buy them inexpensively.
3. Sleepover movie nights
If you do family movie nights each week (like we do!) then watching Christmas movies is a no brainer.
I say do one of these every Friday throughout the whole month of December!
Make popcorn (or your favorite desert) and snuggle up on the couch with the family and friends to watch the best of the best Christmas movies.
Personally, my favorites are A Christmas Story and the Grinch. You could even mandate a Christmas pajama dress code*!
4. Christmas food… literally
Along with your chocolate chip cookies and eggnog, why not start a tradition of cooking or baking food that actually looks like Christmas?
The possibilities are endless and tasty.
5. Watch A Christmas Tree Lighting
Google Christmas Tree lightings in your area.
Most are free and it’ll be like an entire day or evening of Christmas festivities. You may even want to catch two or three in one year… if you’re a super duper Christmas lover.
6. Look At Christmas Lights
If there aren’t a lot of lights in your own neighborhood, go scour your area to find the places that have the best lights.
It’s worth driving an hour or two if you can find a Christmas village of sorts that lets you walk around in it.
Kids love this!
7. A Themed Christmas Eve
A friend just told me that on Christmas Eve, they always have a theme.
- Star Wars
- Nerf Wars
- Christmas sweaters
You name it, doesn’t matter.
Think of a theme, and everyone can dress up and play it up. It makes the day before Christmas something to really look forward to.
8. Read Christmas Books Together
Keep Christmas books in your Christmas decoration boxes.
Bring them out once a year and they will be far more interesting to the kids.
Truly, you’ll love the nostalgic feel of reading these books together.
9. Go Caroling With The Kids
Teach the kids a few songs they will be able to learn well, and go caroling in your neighborhood.
Okay, okay, if you don’t really know the neighbors or your kids will get embarrassed in front of strangers, sing to family members and friends!
10. Decorate Ginger Bread Houses
Whether you want to make it all from scratch or buy a kit, do Ginger bread houses some time during the holiday season. You can buy easy kits from the store or work together in the kitchen!
11. Christmas Eve Boxes
Get a box for each family member and then – for Christmas Eve – bring it out to open. The idea behind Christmas Eve boxes are that you fill them with inexpensive sentimental and family bonding gifts. The whole family will enjoy their time together opening these gifts year after year!
Pull out these fun connecting questions to share some laughs with your precious ones!
Use them at:
- meal times
- car rides
- as a “calm down” trick
- for dinner time conversation
- or any time the day is getting chaotic or
- you need a reset to connect.
Related Reads:
- How To Correct Your Kids In Front Of Others (Without Losing Your Cool)
- A Crucial Conversation To Have With Kids Before They Open Their Presents
- How To Have (Or Be) Flexible House Guests While Keeping Your Routine
- “Is Santa Real?”
- Free Printable Advent Devotion For Moms & Kids
- How To Be A Confident Parent With Extended Family: Do’s & Don’ts
- How To Get Ahead Of The Holiday Rush & Slow Down
- And How To Write A Christmas Card People Want To Read
- Tips For Hosting Holiday Parties With Kids
Great traditions Rachel ;) Hope you are enjoying life on the other side of the world. As you know we don’t have any traditions that we do the same each year, but we do love to enjoy lots of fun and festive activities. These would make great family bonding activities for the season!
Lauren
I am like you, Lauren! We don’t have any traditions either, but like to change things up. Maybe when the kids get older they’ll request things each year, but for this year… we’ll keep it fresh. Ha! Link up your no traditions post here if you don’t mind, I’m sure there are many families exactly the same!
Love the idea of a candy cane hunt. We may try that this year!
Exactly! So easy but so fun for kids
You made a good point that while it is a fun Christmas tradition on its own, Christmas crackers also double as colorful decorations for the dinner table. This year will be the first time my nephews and nieces will be spending the holidays with me so I’d like to prepare accordingly and have as much goodies for them as I can. Perhaps I should consider looking for wholesale Christmas crackers.
Our family from the UK and Australia LOVE the crackers!