14 Fun Family Traditions to Start This Holiday Season
The holidays are the perfect time to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Family traditions can add extra joy to the season, making each year feel even more special. Whether you enjoy cooking together, decorating the house, or getting cozy with a holiday movie marathon, traditions bring everyone closer. Start a new tradition this year that everyone can look forward to. You will be amazed at how these simple moments can turn into cherished memories.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Family Movie Night
A family movie night is a simple tradition that everyone can enjoy. You can choose a holiday-themed movie or let each family member take turns picking their favorite film. Make it extra special by preparing a cozy space with blankets and pillows, creating a movie theater-like atmosphere. It is a great way to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.
Consider having some fun snacks, like popcorn or hot cocoa, to complete the experience. You can even make it a weekly or monthly tradition during the holidays, giving everyone something to look forward to. As the years go by, these movie nights will be remembered as a cherished family activity. It is a tradition that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Decorating Gingerbread Houses
Decorating gingerbread houses is a fun and creative tradition that everyone in the family can participate in. Each family member can decorate their own house or work together on one large project. The process of building and decorating the gingerbread house brings the family together while encouraging creativity. You can use candy, icing, and other sweet treats to make the houses colorful and festive.
This tradition is not only fun but also allows you to create edible art. You can keep the gingerbread houses on display throughout the holiday season, and they make for a great family keepsake. This is a perfect way to get the kids involved and excited about the holidays. Plus, you can enjoy eating them once the decorating is done.
Volunteering Together
The holiday season is a great time to give back to the community. Volunteering as a family can be a meaningful tradition that teaches children the importance of kindness and helping others. Whether it is serving at a soup kitchen, donating to a toy drive, or helping at a local shelter, volunteering offers the family a chance to connect and make a positive impact. It is a great way to instill values of generosity and compassion in your children.
This tradition can help bring the family closer while making a difference in the lives of others. Plus, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of the holidays. Volunteering together can become a tradition that not only enhances the holiday spirit but also leaves a lasting impression on your family. It is a wonderful way to spend time together while giving back.
Baking Holiday Treats
Baking holiday treats is a fun and delicious way to spend time together as a family. You can bake cookies, pies, cakes, or even homemade candy. This tradition gives everyone a chance to get their hands dirty and be creative in the kitchen. Plus, the delicious results can be shared with family and friends or enjoyed during holiday gatherings.
Try creating your own unique holiday recipes or use traditional ones passed down from previous generations. Baking together also gives the family an opportunity to talk, laugh, and bond over shared experiences. The kitchen can quickly become a place of warmth and joy, as everyone works together to create festive treats. It is an activity that can be repeated each year, with new recipes to try.
Holiday Light Tour
Taking a holiday light tour is a great way to enjoy the holiday decorations in your neighborhood or city. Bundle up, hop in the car, and drive around to see the best light displays. You can even walk through areas that are known for their festive decorations. This simple tradition allows the family to admire the holiday spirit around them while spending time together.
Afterward, you can make it even more special by enjoying some hot chocolate or snacks. It is a great tradition to start with young children, as they will be amazed by the lights and displays. This activity can easily become a part of your yearly holiday routine, bringing joy each time you revisit it. Plus, it is an easy and affordable way to experience the magic of the season.
Writing Letters to Santa
Writing letters to Santa is a classic family tradition that adds excitement and anticipation to the holiday season. Each child can write a letter with their wishes for the season, and parents can help younger kids with their letters. The family can then take turns reading their letters aloud, sharing what they hope for during the holidays. It’s a great way to build excitement and engage the imagination of children.
You can add a personal touch by including drawings or pictures along with the letters. Some families even mail their letters to Santa, creating a sense of magic and connection to the holiday season. It is a tradition that can become a keepsake as children grow older, reminding them of the joy and wonder of the holidays. Starting this tradition early makes it a special part of the season year after year.
Holiday Craft Day
Set aside a day each year to create holiday crafts together. This can include making ornaments, decorations, or even DIY gifts for family and friends. Crafting together fosters creativity and allows the family to spend time in a hands-on, fun way. The homemade creations can decorate the house or serve as gifts for loved ones, making the effort even more meaningful.
This tradition allows each family member to express their creativity and have fun with their hands. You can use simple materials like paper, glue, glitter, and paint, or get more elaborate with sewing or woodwork. The end result is a house filled with the warmth of homemade decorations. As the years pass, the family will enjoy looking back on the crafts made together.
Family Holiday Playlist
Creating a family holiday playlist is a tradition that adds festive music to your home. You can all contribute songs that hold special meaning or that get everyone in the holiday spirit. The playlist can be played during holiday meals, decorating, or just while relaxing together. This simple tradition helps bring a cheerful atmosphere to any occasion.
You can make a new playlist each year or build upon the previous year’s list. Having everyone involved in the music selection is a fun way to reflect the diversity of tastes in your family. Plus, the songs will trigger memories of past holidays, creating a sense of nostalgia. It is a lighthearted tradition that keeps the family connected and adds extra cheer to the season.
Making Homemade Ornaments
Creating homemade ornaments is an easy and meaningful tradition that the whole family can enjoy. You can make simple ornaments out of clay, paper, or natural materials like pine cones and dried oranges. Decorating the tree with these homemade items adds a personal touch and reminds everyone of the time spent together. These ornaments can also be given as gifts to friends and family.
This tradition encourages creativity and allows family members to reflect on past holidays while crafting new memories. You can also turn this into an annual activity, creating a new ornament every year to add to the collection. By the time your children are older, they will have a tree full of homemade ornaments to look back on. It is a beautiful tradition that can last for generations.
Family Game Night
A family game night is a perfect way to spend quality time together during the holiday season. You can play board games, card games, or try out new games that are fun for everyone. Whether the games are competitive or cooperative, it is the laughter and camaraderie that will make the experience memorable. Game night is a great way to unplug and focus on one another without distractions.
This tradition can be held weekly or just during the holidays, depending on your family’s schedule. Be sure to include games that suit all ages, so everyone can participate. The variety of games available means you can keep things fresh each year. It is a simple way to bond and make sure that everyone has fun.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
A holiday scavenger hunt is an exciting tradition that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. You can create a list of holiday-themed items for family members to find or challenges to complete. This can be done in your home, in your yard, or even as part of a larger family outing. It adds an element of surprise and adventure to your holiday celebrations.
You can include small treats or holiday-themed prizes for the winners. Whether the hunt is short and sweet or more involved, it is sure to get everyone moving and laughing. It is a great tradition for younger children, but it can easily be adapted for older family members as well. This festive activity will quickly become a family favorite.
Advent Calendar Tradition
An advent calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. You can create your own calendar, filling each day with a small treat, note, or activity. It is a great way to build excitement for the holiday while sharing moments together. Each morning, the whole family can open the calendar and enjoy the small surprises inside.
You can customize the calendar to reflect your family’s interests, such as including holiday activities like baking, crafting, or outdoor outings. The countdown tradition makes the holiday season feel even more magical and helps keep everyone engaged. This is a tradition that everyone in the family can look forward to, making each day leading up to Christmas special.
Holiday Story Time
Reading holiday stories together is a cozy tradition that brings the family together. You can choose holiday-themed books or read classic stories like “The Night Before Christmas.” This tradition can be enjoyed after dinner or before bed, giving everyone a chance to slow down and unwind. It is a lovely way to pass on stories from one generation to the next.
You can add a fun twist by acting out parts of the story or incorporating holiday-themed props. Each year, the family can pick new books to add to the collection, making it a tradition that evolves over time. This tradition promotes family bonding while fostering a love of reading. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the holiday spirit through storytelling.
Holiday Card Crafting
Making holiday cards is a fun and creative tradition that can involve the entire family. You can use markers, stamps, glitter, and other craft supplies to create personalized holiday cards for friends and family. This is an excellent way to show appreciation for loved ones while expressing creativity. Plus, it can be a fun way to send festive greetings to those who may be far away.
Everyone in the family can get involved, whether it’s creating designs or writing personal messages inside. You can make a big batch of cards to send out or give them to neighbors and friends. This tradition can become even more meaningful when you look back at the cards made over the years. It is a simple but heartwarming way to spread holiday cheer.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.