Christmas Traditions for Your Family to Start This Year

Having a Christmas tradition can help families become closer and can create happiness inside the hearts of many others too! It is never too late to begin a Christmas tradition. Leslie Losey (pictured) of Avohealth Wellness Partners, suggests these traditions to try with your family this year that are sure to stick around for many years to come!

Get One, Give One

During the holidays, there are many families that cannot afford to participate in Christmas gift-giving for the sake of ensuring the rent is paid and the lights are kept on. Create a “get one, give one” tradition this year to help give to the families in need by donating one gently used toy or another item for every gift that you receive this Christmas. Simply count the total number of presents you’ve received, then donate the same number of items/toys of choice to a needy family. Talk about spreading the Christmas joy!

Create a Chain of Thankfulness

Make it a tradition to create a “chain of thankfulness” this Christmas. All you have to do is grab some green and red construction paper, cut into strips, and place in a designated spot so that you and your family can write down something that they are thankful each day leading up to Christmas. Glue the strips into circles and create a chain to hang over the fireplace or even around the Christmas tree.

Make Homemade Christmas Cards for Friends and Family

Hand decorating Christmas cards and writing a personal message in each one can really have a positive effect on the receiver of the card. Not only does hand decorating a Christmas card make the person receiving it smile, but it also brings the family closer together while sitting down and handcrafting something together. Try creating a little card decorating station at the table and have the family sit around and decorate the cards together!

Make Reindeer Food

This Christmas tradition is one that the little ones will love. Creating reindeer food is a way to really help Santa out (or so they will think). Usually, Santa gets all the lovin’ but reindeers need food too, right? There are many different recipes for reindeer food, but a personal favorite is one that is reindeer and human friendly! Grab some uncooked oats and some colored sugar sprinkles and mix into baggies ( ½ cup of oats and 2 tbsp. of sugar). Leave the uncooked bags on the rooftop for Rudolph, and place the other mixtures into a bowl with ¼ cup of hot water for a delightful bowl of cooked reindeer food!

Create a Unique Ornament

What is better than a handcrafted ornament made by a family member? This is yet another family-gathering tradition that is fun and creative! Just like with card making, set up a table with all of the supplies needed, and get to work. This tradition is wonderful for making memories with the family and holding on to them for a lifetime. Let your creative side shine!

Thankful Stocking Stuffers

Sometimes, life gets in the way and you may not be able to keep in touch with certain family members throughout the year. Like them or not, write them a little note about why you’re thankful for them this Christmas and stuff it inside of their stocking. The whole family can participate and this is a surefire way to make sure everyone feels some Christmas joy!

Get a Christmas Family Photo

Taking a family photo is often forgotten amongst all of the hustle and bustle on Christmas, but you will be thankful that you stopped to take that stressful little picture. Make it a tradition and start up a “Family Christmas album”. It will become a very treasured piece in the family for many years to come.

Christmas Song Charades

Charades are fun to play in almost any given situation, but trying to act out Christmas songs is a family tradition to start this year that will have everyone rolling in laughter! Have the family each list out two or three Christmas songs; each one on an individual piece of paper. Place into a bucket and then take turns drawing and trying to act out each song. This will become a family favorite very quickly!

Go on a Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt

Looking for a fun way to go look at the gorgeous lights in your local neighborhood? Create a “scavenger hunt” list for friends and family to check off as everyone ‘awes’ at the decorations.