Each family develops its own traditions associated with particular holidays. Christmas is certainly one season with its own special collection of traditions. While some traditions are passed on from generation to generation, others are born out of a desire to do something new and meaningful.
Traditions can revolve around activities, food or giving to others. Here are some ideas for meaningful family Christmas traditions.
Family Christmas Activities
Read aloud a Christmas book or story each day. Depending on the ages of the children, choose picture books or short stories from collections such as the Christmas in My Heart series by Joe Wheeler. Every December 23 bring out a new book or story for that year and read it for the first time.
Children love to “camp out” so consider sleeping in sleeping bags in front of the Christmas tree one night. Munch on snacks, leave the lights on all night, and make a special memory!
Keep a simple Christmas scrapbook. Each year add a page or two with details about how the family celebrated, favorites gifts given and received, and people who shared the holiday with the family. Add a few pictures, scraps of wrapping paper, and a sample of the Christmas card and letter sent out that year.
Give children the opportunity to act out the Christmas story from the Bible. Read it through several times beforehand, discussing the most important aspects. Then have the children plan and present a play for family and friends.
Christmas Decorating
Rather than just purchasing Christmas decorations at the nearest big box store, consider making homemade Christmas decorations a part of the family history. For example, purchase a Christmas ornament each year while on vacation or whenever the family goes some place new. Then when removing the ornaments from the box each year to decorate the tree, the family members can reminisce and remember the fun moments shared as a family.
Special Food Traditions at Christmas
Food is an integral part of Christmas celebrations. For many people, the food associated with the event is just as important a memory as the event itself.
Consider serving the same kind of food each year while decorating the tree. It could be ordering Chinese take-out or making homemade pizza. Maybe the family has cocoa and cookies, or hot spiced cider and homemade donuts. Whatever the choice, consider making it a tradition each year to enjoy the same snack or meal while decking the halls for the holiday.
Watch a favorite Christmas movie such as It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, or Miracle on 34th Street and have a snack or appetizers dinner. Choose favorite finger foods and snacks to much on while enjoying a classic film.
Giving to Others
Christmas is ultimately about giving. This is a great time to give to others, especially those who might otherwise go without.
There are many ways to sponsor a needy family for Christmas. Most churches know of families in need of help. Make arrangements to anonymously provide a family with groceries and appropriate presents through the church.
Many organizations collect gifts to distribute. Whether it is Project Angel Tree or Toys for Tots, a person can be confident the gift is going to a child in need during the Christmas season.
Creating special family traditions can be an important part of a family's history. For other ideas related to celebrating the season in a meaningful way, please see Christmas Activities for Children, Simplify Christmas Gift Giving, Children's Picture Book Versions of the Night Before Christmas, and Keep Jesus the Focus of Christmas.
Sallie Schaaf Borrink - Sallie Borrink is a professional writer with extensive experience with business clients, the consumer market, and online destinations.
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