Author: Heather | Updated December 23, 2021
For some reason the link doesn't work for me. If it works for you, great, you don't need this page. If it doesn't - like for me - you do.
Watching holiday movies might be one of your family’s favorite Christmas traditions. Other families might make fruitcake, and some may even hide pickles in their trees. Whatever your family Christmas tradition may be, one thing is certain: it brings you all closer together.
But let’s get real, some holiday traditions are pricey!
1. Start a Christmas tradition of adding kids’ handprints to a Christmas tree skirt.
Include the year with each handprint and eventually, the entire Christmas tree skirt will be covered in handprints of all sizes.
But let’s get real, some holiday traditions are pricey!
1. Start a Christmas tradition of adding kids’ handprints to a Christmas tree skirt.
Include the year with each handprint and eventually, the entire Christmas tree skirt will be covered in handprints of all sizes.
This is the perfect addition to your decorations, whether you have a traditional Christmas tree or not!
2. Go on a Christmas lights scavenger hunt with this free printable.
Turn this into an outdoor family Christmas tradition and bring some snacks whether you’re on foot or in a car. Make a list of everything you might see on the scavenger hunt, or use a free Christmas scavenger hunt list printable, and let the kids check off items as you look at lights.
3. Make a Christmas music playlist to share with all your friends and family.
4. Refresh your Christmas movie tradition by wrapping movies to open and watch each night.
Unwrapping a surprise movie each night is almost as much fun as watching it together. It’s one of those family Christmas traditions that will go on forever! (You can also pack a shoebox with the movie and things for themed movie night)
5. Or, wrap Christmas themed books to read every day during the holidays.
Try to aim for 12 books for the 12 nights of Christmas. Each night one child gets to unwrap a book for you to read. Check them out at the library or just use ones you already own.
6. Put together a night-before-Christmas box.
Include new Christmas pajamas or slippers, a movie or a book (even if you already own them!), a fun game and maybe some hot cocoa and popcorn.
Whether you have kids under the age of 5, teenagers or adult children, this Christmas tradition is always a bonding experience.
7. Leave candy in shoes in honor of St. Nicholas Day.
Saint Nicholas was a real saint known for being kind, helping those in need, and loving children. St. Nicholas Day is on December 6th, and traditionally, children leave their shoes by the door for St. Nicholas to bring them gifts and treats. Make this a Christmas tradition and fill shoes with candy. You can even sneak in candy from Halloween. (Traditionally, the kids fill their shoes first with snacks for St. Nicholas' horse - carrots and hay. It's not for nothing, you know. :-D)
8. Make DIY reindeer food a new family Christmas tradition.
Mix together a combination of rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, red and green sugar crystals, and sprinkles. Sprinkle your homemade reindeer food in the snow for Santa’s helpers for a fun Christmas Eve tradition. (Stay away from actual glitter or any non-food items which are harmful to critters who may get into them.)
9. Write a letter to a soldier with Operation Gratitude.
Have every member of the family write a letter of gratitude to the soldiers serving overseas. Operation Gratitude allows you to say thank you, which is especially warming during the holidays when our soldiers are away from their own families.
It’s a great Christmas tradition that’ll help your kids spread joy without spending a dime.
Important note about sending letters: Please don’t place letters in individual envelopes. Just bundle them all together and mail them directly to Operation Gratitude, which will take care of the rest.
10. Adopt a family together.
Christmas is the perfect time to teach children and teens the spirit of giving. Make it a Christmas tradition to work with local charities to find a family in need, then get your family together in buying, wrapping, and delivering gifts.
11. Set out 12 boxes filled with themes and activities for the 12 Days of Christmas.
Twelve days of Christmas fun means being as creative as you can — from gingerbread day to movie day. Inside each box or package should be a full list of ideas, and also contain supplies for that day’s theme.
Make sure to save the best for last and a sweet Christmas Eve tradition!
TIP: Instead of wrapping surprises, just decorate paper bags with markers.
12. Create hope notes for next Christmas and tuck them away in holiday stockings.
This Christmas tradition starts on the tail end of Christmas. As you pack up your stockings for the year, each family member writes a note with a hope or goal they want to happen by next Christmas. Put it in a stocking for the following year. It’s fun to read what everyone hoped for and a good opportunity to reflect on the previous year.
13. Host a Christmas sock exchange.
Host a holiday sock exchange party asking friends to each bring a pair of holiday socks filled with their favorite things. Set a budget so everyone ends up with something fun.
TIP: Instead of wrapping surprises, just decorate paper bags with markers.
12. Create hope notes for next Christmas and tuck them away in holiday stockings.
This Christmas tradition starts on the tail end of Christmas. As you pack up your stockings for the year, each family member writes a note with a hope or goal they want to happen by next Christmas. Put it in a stocking for the following year. It’s fun to read what everyone hoped for and a good opportunity to reflect on the previous year.
13. Host a Christmas sock exchange.
Host a holiday sock exchange party asking friends to each bring a pair of holiday socks filled with their favorite things. Set a budget so everyone ends up with something fun.
14. Buy or make a new Christmas tree ornament to represent the year.
15. Start a Christmas pickle tradition (a.k.a. hide the pickle ornament).
After everyone goes to sleep on Christmas Eve, hide a pickle ornament somewhere in your Christmas tree. The first person to find the pickle on Christmas morning gets a special gift.
16. Buy an unexpected Advent calendar for cheap.
Funko Pop, LEGO, Friends, wine and cheese…the variety of Advent calendars these days is amazing.
17. Play BINGO while watching Hallmark Christmas Movies.
If you’re one of the many people who love watching these cheesy classics, make it a new Christmas tradition to play Hallmark Christmas movie BINGO!
18. Make a keepsake ornament showing the length of your child with ribbon.
Measure your child’s height with ribbon and place it in a clear ornament.
If you’re one of the many people who love watching these cheesy classics, make it a new Christmas tradition to play Hallmark Christmas movie BINGO!
18. Make a keepsake ornament showing the length of your child with ribbon.
Measure your child’s height with ribbon and place it in a clear ornament.
19. Label presents with holiday names instead of real names and don’t tell anyone who’s who until Christmas.
When you fill their stockings, place a small ornament at the bottom that reveals their Christmas tag name. For example, a reindeer ornament for the child whose presents are labeled Prancer.
When you fill their stockings, place a small ornament at the bottom that reveals their Christmas tag name. For example, a reindeer ornament for the child whose presents are labeled Prancer.
(Variation of this is to wrap all the gifts for each child in their own wrapping paper and put a piece of that paper in their sock.)
20. Create a hanging DIY Christmas card display using greenery and a tree branch.
21. Have a Christmas cookie decorating party.
22. Dedicate a night to play the Silver Bells memory game.
The Holiday or Silver Bells memory game is just like the game Memory only this one calls for Hershey’s kisses and Christmas stickers, two sets of each, just like regular Memory! I’m all about family Christmas traditions where everyone gets chocolate.
23. Surprise friends and neighbors with a “Jingle.”
It’s like doorbell ditch, but with happy surprises. Drop off treats or cards for a sweet surprise. This free “You’ve Been Jingled” printable explains it all.
22. Dedicate a night to play the Silver Bells memory game.
The Holiday or Silver Bells memory game is just like the game Memory only this one calls for Hershey’s kisses and Christmas stickers, two sets of each, just like regular Memory! I’m all about family Christmas traditions where everyone gets chocolate.
23. Surprise friends and neighbors with a “Jingle.”
It’s like doorbell ditch, but with happy surprises. Drop off treats or cards for a sweet surprise. This free “You’ve Been Jingled” printable explains it all.
