A Christmas tradition is something carried out year after year at the holidays that brings good memories.

To find out what the best traditions are of those you will celebrate with, you only need to ask these two questions:

  1. What do you always do at Christmas?

  2. What do you especially enjoy at Christmas?

Here are some examples from people I polled:

Before Christmas Ideas:

  • “We drive around to see all the Christmas lights and get hot chocolate.” A Dad

  • “We make handmade ornaments, usually glass with glitter.” Junior High Girl

“We bake cookies and dance to Christmas songs.” Grade Schooler

Christmas Eve Ideas:

  • “We open two gifts on Christmas Eve: a new pair of pajamas for Christmas morning and an ornament for the tree.” A Family

  • “We have rice pudding with an almond hidden in one person’s bowl. The one who has the almond wins a gift prize. We always try to fool others that we have the nut or that we don’t have it when we do.” A Young Adult

  • “We always go to church on Christmas Eve and then come home for my husband’s Clam Chowder Soup and Chili.” A Wife and Mom

  • “We’re all together as extended family, talking and catching up with a light supper. The kids put on a Christmas play.” A Single Aunt

    Christmas Day Ideas:

  • “We open stockings, eat breakfast, get ready for presents, and have turkey dinner.”

  • “We like to be home Christmas Day morning for a low-key morning together. Then with family later in the day.” Newlywed Couple

  • “My father reads a special blessing prayer for the family he wrote years ago even though we are Jewish.”

  • Just ask your family and others what they do at Christmas. It is a rich time of traditions.

Bonus Christmas Tips:

1. Prepare Breakfast the Day Before

Plan ahead with a breakfast recipe you can prepare the night before and pop in the oven on Christmas morning. Keep the cook happy, too.

2. Open Your Home to Others

Christmas can be a joyful time of the year surrounded by family and friends exchanging gift and hugs.  But for many, Christmas is a depressing time that echoes feelings of loneliness and isolation. Ask someone to join you

3. Read the Christmas Nativity Story

On Christmas Eve read the original Christmas Nativity story from Luke 2 in the Bible before going to sleep.

4. Light a Candle to Remind You of the Significance of Christmas Day

Keep a special white candle lit the entire Christmas Day to remind everyone of the very first Christmas.

5. Capture the Memories and Post in Your Holiday Notebook

Take photos at your Christmas  celebrations and create a sheet to put in your 3-Ring Holiday Notebook. Write down who was there and any other special memories you created together.  

–> Tips for Company, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Journal, Christmas Brunch are in Simplify Your Holiday Season by Marcia Ramsland.

–> The Christmas Story of Luke 2 and questions for the Nativity Scene for the family are in Simply December Devotions by Marcia Ramsland.

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