Popular Christmas Traditions
Every year, during the holiday season, families celebrate with each other and often, create their own traditions to practice for years to come. If you are looking for some new traditions to start with your family, take a look at the list we made below, and hopefully it helps! Here are some popular Christmas traditions:
Christmas Eve Matching Pajamas: On Christmas Eve, to keep the element of surprise, one person who purchased the pajama sets, hands them out to everyone (or if you’d rather, everyone can work together to pick the pajamas). The best part is that everyone is matching each other - you’ll look like you stepped straight out of a Christmas movie. Jump into your matching PJs, drink some hot coco, and enjoy the night before Christmas with your family or friends.
Elf on the Shelf: You may have heard about this tradition that involves an elf doll and magic from the North Pole. This Christmas, start the Elf on the Shelf tradition with your whole family, everyone can enjoy the fun it brings. The Elf is sent by Santa from the North Pole to watch over the children and report back to Santa whether they are naughty or nice. Every evening, the Elf explores the house and has adventures while the children are asleep. When the children wake up, they usually find the Elf in a new spot in the home in a unique position, such as skiing down a powdered sugar counter top or hanging from the Christmas tree.
Drive to Christmas Lights: Hop in a truck if you have one, or whatever car that can hold the most people. Do some research and find the best lights in your area, because some neighborhoods will have more elaborate displays and those are the ones you’ll want to visit. Roll down the windows and play some Christmas music on your stereo while you tour the lights with your family.
Pickle in the Tree: This tradition is a simple one - one person hides a pickle in a Christmas tree and everyone else tries to find it. The first person to find the pickle gets to open the first present on Christmas day.
Open a present on Christmas Eve: This fun tradition is on Christmas Eve, usually right before everyone goes to bed. Each person gets to choose one present to open in anticipation of the big day.
Gingerbread House Competition: Grab the necessary materials to build fabulous Gingerbread houses. Many people choose to purchase Gingerbread House kits along with other materials for the competition. Start a timer, establish your rules, and get to decorating. Once the time is up, appreciate each other’s creation and decide on a way to determine a winner. Some choose to post photos on social media and have others vote on the winner, or some families choose to vote for each other on pieces of paper.
Ice Skating: Whether you live in a winter wonderland or a warmer area, like we do in Texas, find the nearest ice skating rink to you. Pick a colder evening, grab your coats, gloves, and beanies and go ice skating with your family or friends. Be sure to take pictures and enjoy the night out with each other.
Watch a Tree Lighting Ceremony: A town near you may have a tree lighting ceremony along with other activities. Do some research, check your local newspaper, and see if there is one that works with your schedule. Tree lighting ceremonies is a great tradition to start with your family.
Find your own real Christmas tree: Go tree hunting for a real Christmas tree with your family! Whether you want to cut down the tree yourself with an axe or a chainsaw, or you want visit a Christmas tree farm, it will make for a fun excursion with your family.
Christmas movie marathon: This tradition is a simple and cost effective way to celebrate the holiday season with your family or friends. There are so many Christmas movies to choose from. Whether you want to watch the classics, such as It’s A Wonderful Life, or a newer movie such as The Elf, bundle up in blankets, drink some Coco and enjoy the movie with your loved ones.
Give Back: Giving back to your community is a great tradition to start with your family. There are so many different ideas to consider such as volunteering at a local food or homeless shelter, buying gifts for a toy drive, or sponsoring a family in need for their Christmas.
Visit a Church Service: There are so many different Christmas churches to choose from. Many churches offer beautiful candle-lit Christmas Eve services where you get to sing the Christmas classics. Other churches offer services on Christmas day. If you are interested in attending a service, pick the one that works best for you and your family!
Christmas traditions are a wonderful way to bring your family together every year and make memories with each other. Hopefully this list of ideas can help you think of some of your own unique traditions. More than anything, find reasons to smile and be grateful, and spend time with those most important to you this holiday season. Happy Holidays!