Christmas traditions are one of my favorite things I love about the holidays. I can fondly remember my aunt, my dad and I shopping for fluffy Christmas trees, dashing to various stores to catch midnight madness sales, baking fruit cakes and stringing elaborate lights and the nativity scene outside of our home.
I cherish these memories and traditions of Christmases past with my whole heart but I have begun to add my own Christmas traditions with my family and friends. Traditions in my opinions are an essential part of the festive season. You get to spend quality time with your tribe, get a little competitive and show off your skills and really just enjoy life.
If you are searching for ways to add color and spice up your season, here are a few Christmas traditions to implement during the holiday season.
- Trim The Christmas Tree: Kick off the holiday season by decorating the Christmas tree with your family and or friends. It is probably one of my all-time favorite things to do. While I use to love doing it by myself, I love help! You can delegate each task to a member of the team! Someone on lights, balls, tree topper, tinsel, go crazy and have fun!
- Christmas Movie Night: I have a secret, I start watching Christmas movies from October, thank you Hallmark Channel! Plan a Christmas movie night with your girlfriends, siblings, or hubby! Aside from Christmas corny movie central the Hallmark Channel, Netflix is a great place to watch Christmas movies. Classics to watch during the season are Home Alone, It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Elf, and Miracle on 34th Street.
- Matching Christmas Pajamas: A few years ago, I begged my boyfriend to start a matching Christmas pajama tradition, and with some hesitation, he said yes! It’s so much fun and festive dressing up as Santas and elves while opening our Christmas presents. If you’re married with kids, they’ll love it, you can also include the family dog and make it your official Christmas photo!
- Christmas Karaoke: What’s better than karaoke? Christmas karaoke, like duh! I stole this tradition from friends, who, on every Christmas Eve throw a party complete with a karaoke machine for Christmas songs only! It’s so much fun. If you have a huge family, you can turn it into a karaoke battle where you pair the men versus the women.
- Christmas Bake Off: Indulge in the sweetness of the holidays by baking some sweets as a team, family or a have a competitive bake-off. Maybe you want to see who can build and design the best gingerbread house, best fruit cake (don’t hate), or rum cake.
- Elf On A Shelf: For families with children, elf on a shelf is a great yearly Christian tradition. Santa’s little helper is positioned around the house day and night to report back to the North Pole on if the kids are being naughty or nice. The elf is moved to a new position around the house every night while the kids are asleep. The game tends to begin at the beginning of Christmas and ends Christmas Eve.
- Advent Calendar: The advent calendar is a tradition that has been around for centuries which counts down the days leading up to Christmas. The modern advent calendar usually has a door, when opened, reveals something different. There are advent calendars that feature Bible verses, makeup, chocolate, alcohol just about everything. I prefer something more traditional, but you are free to choose your favourite.
- Ugly Sweater Party: I love a good ugly granny sweater, which is probably why I always get excited for our annual Ugly Sweater Party. While there is a designated Ugly Sweater Day, you can have a small or large soiree with family and friends at any time during the season. You can make it a competition with prized included for the ugliest handmade sweater.
- Volunteer: The holiday season is a time to spread love, kindness, and joy. Every Christmas my friends and family team up to deliver Christmas gifts, food, and spend a day at a local children’s home. This tradition has been going on for years and it’s something that’s so simple, but meaningful and impactful. If you would like to bring a little joy to others who might be less fortunate, volunteer or donate during the holidays.
- Twas The Night Before Christmas: As a child one of the things I loved to read every Christmas Eve was, duh, the poem, “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore. I was a little geek, I can admit it. I do think it is a great tradition to have as a family. Reading the poem, sipping some hot chocolate while opening one gift on Christmas Eve, also another tradition.
Do you have any traditions you celebrate with your family and friends? I would love to hear about them
