If you are looking for some new ideas to start some fun Christmas tradition ideas with your kids you are in the right place! Whether you are a new parent and want to start some amazing Christmas traditions or you’re just looking for some inspiration for Christmas ideas there are tons to choose from.
Having raised two amazing kids I’m sharing these ideas as a mom who’s been there.
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Why Focus on Christmas Tradition Ideas?
If you’re a brand new parent and just starting to plan the traditions that you want to stick to, read all the way through.
Definitely consider all of the options ahead of you and focus on the future.
Your kids are probably young and absolutely adorable. You can’t even imagine them being anything but that.
It’s important to remember that the traditions you create in your family could inadvertently create some habits in your children that you want to avoid like the plague.
Excessive gifts, for example, can create a spirit of greediness, selfish attitude and a lack of charitability in your children.
Consider the things you want your teenage children to look forward to when it’s no longer cool to love Christmas.
If your kids are already older, it’s never too late! Just let everyone know that you’re adding a new tradition to the annual lineup and have at it.
Christmas Tradition Ideas
Celebrate 12 Days of Christmas
- On the 12 days leading up to Christmas print a coloring page daily, have a special breakfast, make a holiday craft or deliver a Christmas cheer gift to someone’s door.
- You can have tons of fun with this and do something different every day.
Open One Gift on Christmas Eve
- Consider letting the kids open their gift from a sibling. You could also include the annual gift of Christmas pajamas.
- It’s perfect! Built in picture opportunities and it becomes a fun tradition that can live on for years.
- My Grandma started this tradition when I was little and it totally stuck. In their mid and late 20’s my kids STILL get Christmas pajamas they open on Christmas Eve.
Let Each Child Pick Out or Make an Ornament Annually
- This is a great way to build memories and prepare for the future! When your kids become adults they have a great start to their own Christmas tree.
- If you know you will have a difficult time letting go of the ornaments, plan to get 2 every year so they take one and you keep one. =)
Plan a Christmas Light-seeing Excursion
- You can have fun with this one. Wear Pajamas & take a sweet treat for the ride or make it an ugly sweater affair!
- Even now, this is a tradition that we enjoy every year. Hot cocoa (sometimes coffee or hot cider) and some cookies for the kids, and we’re all set!
Watch Your Favorite Christmas Movie Together
We have a rotation of several movies that we go to for our annual Christmas movie. Here are some options for you to consider that we love!
- The Polar Express
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The Nativity Story
- Frosty the Snowman
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Elf
- Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
Have a Traditional Christmas Morning Breakfast
- Pick something that suits your lifestyle. We started doing cinnamon rolls way back in the day and it really stuck.
- Even though cinnamon rolls really don’t fit into the diet these days, it’s a splurge that we are ok with once a year.
Go For a Quick Walk After Christmas Breakfast
- Build in a healthy activity to start the day. This is a great way to start off young with having healthy routines built into your family traditions.
- Not a bad idea when there is an impending feast in your future!
Start the Tradition of Donating Outgrown Gifts
- Leading up to Christmas day, have all of your children pick the gifts that they have outgrown.
- Make it a family outing to take them to a donation center or battered women’s shelter. This is a great way to remind them they are able to do something kind for others in need.
Volunteer to Hand out Candy Canes at your Local Soup Kitchen
- Handing out sweet treats while helping serve those in need in your community is a great way to help kids stay focused on the spirit of giving.
- As they get older that service can transition to serving the meal itself.
Hand out Sweet Treats to Military Members Separated from Loved Ones
- If you live near a military installation you can reach out to the installation military police or chaplain and request to hand out sweets.
- Brighten the day for someone who is serving our country while teaching your kids to be generous and appreciative of others.
Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus
- This is a great way to open the conversation to selfless service and why kindness and generosity are traits to strive for all year.
- Sing happy birthday and watch The Nativity Story to celebrate!
Christmas Eve Tradition
Pick something fun that your family will enjoy and plan to do it together every Christmas Eve. The options are really endless but here are a few to get you started.
- Make dinner together
- Prepare your ingredients for Christmas dinner (saves time and everyone gets to help with the meal)
- Have a special dessert together
- Gather around the tree and share something you are thankful for this year
- Sing your favorite Christmas songs
BEST Christmas Tradition Ideas To Do With Your Kids
There are so many opportunities to embrace the season and make beautiful, lasting memories with your kids.
Take it from a mom whose children have moved out and are living their adult lives. The years will pass faster than you can imagine.
Cherish the days that you have to solidify traditions that will last generations.
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