Celebrate Together: 17 Fun Family Holiday Traditions to Begin This Year
The holiday season is a time to create lasting memories with your loved ones. If you’re looking for new ways to celebrate with your family, starting a holiday tradition is the perfect idea. These traditions can be small, meaningful activities that bring everyone together and make the holidays even more special.
Whether you’re looking for fun, cozy, or reflective traditions, we’ve got plenty of ideas for you to try. Here are 17 holiday traditions that will bring joy, warmth, and a sense of togetherness to your family this year.
Family Game Night
Create a tradition of playing board games or card games together on holiday evenings. This is a great way to bond and enjoy some friendly competition. Everyone can take turns choosing the game to make it fair for all ages.
It’s also a fun way to relax after busy days of holiday activities. Keep some snacks and cozy blankets nearby for a perfect family night in. As your family grows, you can even create personalized rules or add new games to the collection.
Decorating Gingerbread Houses
Building and decorating gingerbread houses is a creative and tasty way to spend time with your family. Each family member can decorate their own house or work together on a big one. The fun part is getting to choose your favorite candy for decoration, whether it’s gumdrops, frosting, or chocolate pieces.
This activity sparks creativity and is a perfect way to start the holiday season. Plus, your homemade gingerbread houses make a sweet addition to your home decor. Make it a yearly tradition and compare each year’s designs.
Holiday Movie Marathon
Pick out your favorite holiday movies and create a special movie marathon tradition. You can watch classics like Home Alone, Elf, or The Polar Express while enjoying popcorn and hot cocoa.
Set up a cozy movie-watching space with blankets and pillows so everyone can relax. To make it extra special, have a countdown to your first movie of the season. This is an activity that everyone, from kids to grandparents, can enjoy together. Don’t forget to vote on which movie should be the first to watch!
Baking Holiday Treats
Gather in the kitchen to bake festive cookies, pies, and other sweet treats. Everyone can help with different tasks like mixing, cutting out cookie shapes, or decorating. The smell of freshly baked goods will fill your home, creating a warm, holiday atmosphere.
You can bake a new recipe each year or stick to your favorites. After baking, sit down together to enjoy the treats with a warm drink. It’s a perfect way to share love and laughter during the busy holiday season.
Creating Handmade Gifts
Instead of buying gifts, make them together as a family. You could try crafting personalized gifts like photo frames, homemade candles, or knitted scarves. Not only does this save money, but it also adds a special personal touch to the gifts you give.
The process of making something by hand can be fun and rewarding. You can make a family crafting day out of it, with music and snacks. This tradition will make everyone feel closer and create thoughtful, meaningful presents.
Writing Holiday Letters
Take some time as a family to write holiday letters to each other or to friends and family members. These letters can express what you’re grateful for, special memories, or hopes for the coming year. Writing heartfelt letters is a tradition that allows everyone to reflect on the year and share their feelings.
You can even make a scrapbook to store your letters and look back on them in the future. Add drawings or special decorations to make the letters even more personal. This tradition can be a wonderful way to preserve memories.
Holiday Light Tour
Get in the holiday spirit by driving or walking through neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights. Many families make a tradition of visiting the most decorated houses in town, enjoying the lights, and even voting on which house has the best display.
Pack some blankets and hot chocolate to make it feel like an adventure. It’s a great way to enjoy the holiday season without spending too much money. The excitement of seeing the lights together creates a magical atmosphere. You can even combine this with holiday music for an extra festive feel.
Making a Family Time Capsule
Create a time capsule with your family by gathering small items that represent the current year. This could include photos, news stories, or personal items that are meaningful to your family. Seal it up in a box, and decide on a future date when you’ll open it.
Time capsules can be a fun and sentimental tradition that allows you to look back and remember the special moments from each year. It’s also a great way to pass down family memories to younger generations. This tradition will leave you with a treasure trove of memories for years to come.
Volunteering Together
Give back to your community by volunteering as a family. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, serving meals, or donating clothes, volunteering brings your family closer while spreading kindness to others.
This tradition teaches kids the importance of compassion and service. You can make it a regular part of your holiday season, helping to create a sense of purpose and giving. Volunteering also helps your family appreciate what they have while making a positive impact. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the true spirit of the holidays.
Decorating the Tree Together
No holiday season is complete without decorating the Christmas tree, but make this year’s tradition extra special by doing it together. Everyone can take part in hanging ornaments, stringing lights, and placing the star or angel on top. Share stories behind special ornaments, such as gifts from family members or souvenirs from past holidays.
This tradition creates a sense of unity and excitement for the holiday season. You can even listen to holiday music or enjoy hot cocoa while you decorate. Each year, your tree will reflect your family’s growth and traditions.
Holiday Breakfast Tradition
Start the day off right with a special holiday breakfast. Whether it’s pancakes with holiday-themed toppings or a big family brunch, this tradition will bring everyone together in the morning. You can let each family member help with different breakfast dishes.
Make the meal extra special by adding holiday touches like cinnamon rolls shaped like reindeer or eggnog-flavored pancakes. This is a great way to make the holiday morning feel cozy and filled with joy. It’s a perfect tradition to kick off the day of celebrations.
Reading Holiday Books
Create a reading tradition where you gather together each night to read a holiday story. You can choose classic stories like The Night Before Christmas or select books that reflect your family’s interests. Reading together promotes bonding and helps keep the holiday spirit alive.
Each year, you can add a new book to your collection and make a special trip to the library or bookstore to pick it out. This tradition is especially heartwarming for younger children and gives them something to look forward to each holiday season. It’s a quiet way to wind down before bed.
Holiday Countdown Calendar
Count down the days to the big holiday with a family advent calendar. Each day, take turns opening a small gift or note inside the calendar. You could include small treats, activities, or kind messages.
This fun tradition builds excitement and anticipation throughout the month. Create your own homemade calendar with little surprises, or buy a pre-made one with cute designs. As you open each door, you’ll enjoy the build-up to the holiday and create cherished memories as a family.
Watching the Holiday Parade
Many towns and cities host holiday parades with festive floats, music, and performances. Make it a family tradition to attend the parade together. Bundle up in warm clothes, bring chairs or blankets, and enjoy the fun atmosphere.
Watching the parade together creates a sense of community and excitement. If there’s no parade nearby, you can even create your own mini parade at home by decorating wagons or bicycles and parading around your yard. It’s a cheerful way to celebrate the season.
Christmas Eve Box
Start a tradition of giving each family member a Christmas Eve box filled with special goodies. This could include pajamas, hot chocolate, a movie, or a small gift. Open the boxes together on Christmas Eve to set the stage for the big day.
The anticipation of receiving the box each year makes it a fun and meaningful tradition. It’s a nice way to end the holiday season and enjoy some quiet family time before the festivities begin. It can also become a favorite tradition that everyone looks forward to.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Create a holiday-themed scavenger hunt for your family to enjoy. Hide small gifts or treats around the house or yard, and give everyone clues to find them. You can make the clues rhyme, be themed around holiday movies or songs, or lead to a grand prize.
This interactive tradition keeps everyone engaged and adds a sense of adventure to your celebrations. You can organize it for Christmas morning or any other day during the holidays. The scavenger hunt will bring a lot of laughter and excitement to your family time.
Reflecting on the Year
At the end of each year, sit down together as a family to reflect on the good moments of the past year. Share your favorite memories, accomplishments, and things you’re grateful for. You can write these down and put them in a special journal or scrapbook.
This tradition allows your family to look back at the growth and highlights of the year, creating a sense of appreciation and gratitude. It’s a peaceful way to end the holiday season and enter the new year with a positive mindset.
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