6 Christmas traditions for you and your family to try this year
Christmas is such a magical time of year and there is nothing more magical than your children getting really excited in the run up to the big day and recalling the annual traditions that they have come to grow and love. Christmas is all about spending time with family and annual traditions are a wonderful way to bring you all together.
Every family has their own unique way of celebrating Christmas, from walks and ice skating to baking and decorating. Christmas traditions don’t always have to be big and fancy and they certainly don’t have to be expensive. It’s just about doing something special, together as a family.
My children are 4 and 7 and we’ve been doing the same few traditions now since they were born and they’ve really come to know and love them. Here are 6 of my favourite traditions, some of which are new to me and I will definitely be trying this year!
6 family Christmas traditions
1. Christmas Eve box
Guaranteed to get the kids super excited ahead of the big day (just incase they aren’t bouncing off the walls enough already), a Christmas Eve box is a lovely way to start the celebrations and with little else going on this year (thanks Covid), it can be filled with everything needed for a perfect Christmas Eve at home. This year, I’m thinking…
Snuggly onesie
Christmas mug
Hot chocolate and marshmallows
Christmas cookie kit
Popcorn
Christmas movie ticket (to watch on Disney+)
Christmas book
Festive socks
Christmas sticker book
Christmas craft activity
Christmas decoration
2. North Pole Christmas breakfast
I love this idea and it’s extremely indulgent but the kids will love it. The idea is to choose a day for your breakfast (lots of families do it on December 1st as a way to introduce Elf on the Shelf) and then prepare Christmas themed food and drinks, laid out on a Christmas themed table. Think Christmas table cloth, Santa plates, festive napkins, Christmas lights… the works. Make it as Christmassy and as over the top as possible… that’s the fun! There are loads of Christmas themed food ideas on the internet, including healthier options such as strawberry and cream Santas.
3. Christmas tree sleepover
One night during December, why not treat your little ones to a sleepover under the Christmas Tree. Setup makeshift beds, watch a Christmas film, eat popcorn and fall asleep under the twinkling lights on the tree.
4. Christmas Day interview
This year I want to film a Christmas Day interview, asking my children a series of Christmas related questions and recording their responses. Some of the questions will include:
How old are you?
What can you see when you look around?
What was your favourite Christmas present?
Have you eaten anything nice today?
Did you hear Santa last night?
5. Santa footprints
Every year my husband goes to great lengths to create the perfect track of Santa footprints from the front door to the presents, and the kids LOVE it. It’s really simple but a firm fave! Rich always buy a tin of spray on snow but you could also use flour or icing sugar.
6. A family photo
This one seems a little obvious, but over the course of Christmas day there are usually lots of photographs taken of the kids but never one of the entire family together. So each year, why not carve out a few minutes to put the camera on timer and take a photograph of all of you together.