If you are like most families, the holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without a family tradition. Whether your traditions are simple or extravagant; or your looking for ideas to start your own, they are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression and make the Christmas season magical! Some of our contributors share their favorite family traditions.
Lighting Candles
“We light a bunch of candles on Christmas Eve and just sit quietly together for a few moments. We’ve been doing it since I was very small and we’ve started the tradition now with my kids.” –Elisabeth Herron Silvaggio
Book Advent Calendar
“We wrap up 25 books (mostly books we already have, but some new ones mixed in) and put under the tree. Each night, she unwraps a book, and we read together in the glow of the Christmas tree before bed.” –Malini Dutta Swank
Serving Your Community
“My family serves Meals on Wheels every Christmas morning. We have since I was in high school or early college and now my husband and daughter join in as well. It’s so special to be reminded of the importance of giving rather than just getting!” –Shannon Gallatin
Ornaments and PJs
“I get my kids an ornament and new pajamas every year and give them on Christmas eve.” –Sarah Hyatt
Christmas Stockings and Breakfast
“We let the kiddos have their stockings on Christmas Eve. I also love to make a big Christmas breakfast. I look forward to it more than all the other holiday meals!” –Tiarra Householder
Random Acts of Kindness
“We like to do random acts of kindness – buy drinks for the car behind us in line a Starbucks, leave pennies at the Meijer pony ride, buy someone’s breakfast in a restaurant, cut coupons and place them by the products in the grocery store, etc. Also, it’s really fun to “adopt a grandparent” at a nursing home – especially if you have young kids.” –Malini Dutta Swank
Treasured Memories
“To celebrate the first Christmas as a married couple my husband suggested that we each get each other an ornament to help fill our tree. Throughout the years we’ve gotten ornaments that have represented vacations we’ve gone on (like the Eiffel Tower to symbolize our trip to Paris), new homes we’ve moved into, hobbies or interests and even homemade ornaments where we write on a big glass bulb special memories from the year. Now that we have children, we’ve continued the tradition and get them ornaments as well. Each year as we decorate the tree it leads to lots of conversations about each of our treasured ornaments. It’s a trip down memory lane and one of our favorite Christmas traditions.” – Amy Onifer
Relaxed Christmas
“After opening presents we like to lounge around in our Christmas pajamas all day and watch movies. There’s no formal dinner, just a smorgasbord of appetizers to nibble on throughout the day.”- Author
We would love to hear from our readers! What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
