This post is all about Christmas Tradition Ideas
Christmas tradition ideas are an integral part of family time.
Why are Christmas traditions important? Well, these are traditions that help one spend time with family, friends, and fun. Traditions also help us to reflect on the year that has passed and to look forward to the year ahead. It’s also assists us with creative ways to celebrate Jesus’ birth!
This blog post will discuss 12 family-friendly Christmas traditions that you can start this year!
Ready? Let’s begin…
Creating new traditions as a new family or an immigrant
Before I begin, I wanted to share why I’m making this list…
For many immigrants or new families (hello newlyweds!👰), the process of creating new traditions is a difficult one. It can be hard to balance the old traditions that we brought with us from our childhood homes and the new traditions that we are trying to create in our new homes. On the one hand, we want to hold onto the things that make us feel connected to our past, while on the other hand, we want to create new traditions that reflect our current lives and experiences.
Creating new traditions is vital for immigrants or new families because it helps us maintain our cultural or family identity. It allows us to take the best of both worlds – our old and our new – and combine them into something that fits who we are in the present moment. Creating new traditions gives us a sense of belonging and helps strengthen ties between generations of immigrant families. New traditions also allow us to honor and celebrate our culture meaningfully while still being relevant to our current lives.
It’s important to remember that creating new traditions requires compromise and understanding on both sides.❤️ Old traditions have been passed down through generations, so it can be difficult for some people to accept change or additions. In these cases, it’s important to talk through the issue and come up with a solution that honors everyone’s beliefs.
Creating new traditions can be challenging, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding process. It allows us to honor our culture and create something unique that reflects our current lives and experiences. With a bit of patience, understanding, and compromise, we can create meaningful new traditions that will help shape our future for generations to come.
I pray that this list will help new families with Christmas tradition ideas of their own.
12 Insanely Easy Christmas Tradition Ideas
1. Winter lights
Winter light shows are a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. Every year, cities around the world set up spectacular displays of colorful lights for people to enjoy. These shows typically run from late November until just before Christmas day and consist of thousands of individual lights, sparkling stars, and festive decorations. Whether you visit a large city park or a smaller neighborhood display, these light shows can be enjoyed by all ages!
Make sure to pack some hot cocoa ☕ and snacks so you can really enjoy your experience.
Here is some raw footage of a recent trip to the State Park with my family! They did an awesome job with the light show!
2. Advent calendars
Advent calendars are a great way to get the whole family involved in anticipation of Christmas. An Advent calendar has twenty-four days leading up to Christmas, usually starting on December 1st. Each day, families can open one pocket or door corresponding to that day and find a special treat inside – this could be candy, small toys, or even activities.
Families can make their own Advent calendar using cardstock and paper pockets or purchase pre-made ones at most craft stores or online. Filling each pocket with treats and surprises will bring joy during this special time of year and create an enjoyable tradition for all ages!
3. Christmas concerts
Christmas concerts are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re attending a local church, school, or online music group concert, they can provide an uplifting experience that celebrates the joy of the season. Religious songs will usually be included in these events, as well as traditional carols and contemporary hits. This provides listeners with an opportunity to engage in meaningful spiritual reflection while also enjoying familiar tunes.
One request- please make it a family outing since this is the perfect way to bond together over festive cheers! Not only do these concerts help spread cheer – but they also make for memorable experiences that become part of your family tradition year after year. So why not look up some Christmas concerts near you and start a new tradition this year?
4. Decorating the Christmas tree
Decorating the Christmas tree is a popular holiday tradition that brings families together. Before you begin, choose an appropriate tree and set it up in your home. For our family, we usually opt for a kid-friendly tree! We make sure to play some classic Christmas music in the background to create a truly merry atmosphere! Everyone gathers around the tree for a festive evening decorating.
Depending on your family’s interests, you can pick out ornaments based on each person’s favorite characters or colors. Hang tinsel and lights from the branches of the tree as well. Younger members will love helping with these tasks, making it a meaningful activity for everyone involved. I actually include my children’s handmade ornaments too!
Once you decorate the tree, step back and admire your newly decorated Christmas tree. Make sure to take plenty of pictures so you can look back on the memories made during this special evening.
5. Gingerbread house decorating!
Decorating a gingerbread house is one of these classic holiday traditions that never gets old. Whether your family makes it from scratch or buys a pre-made one, the process can be both fun and creative. You can purchase kits from a baking store that come with pre-made pieces such as walls, roofs, and other candy decorations like gumdrops and M&Ms. Or, you can make your own from scratch with edible cookie dough, icing, and plenty of decorations.
Your family can have a lot of fun getting creative with their gingerbread house design. Get the kids involved by giving them candy pieces to decorate the walls or letting them choose which colors they would like to use for the roof. You can also let each person add their own special touch to make it truly unique. After all is said and done, don’t forget to take a picture of your masterpiece before consuming it! (lol- good luck!)
6. Santa tracker
Santa Tracker is another favorite Christmas tradition for families (especially mine). On Christmas Eve, have each member of your family take turns “spying” on Santa as he makes his way around the world delivering presents. This activity is sure to bring some laughs and excitement before bedtime!
Here is the google Santa tracker: Google Santa Tracker.
7. Christmas baking
Christmas baking as a family makes for a great kick-off to the holiday season! Not only does it bring people closer together, but you also get to eat some delicious treats at the end of it all. If your family has any special recipes, baking those will ensure your holiday season remains unique and memorable! If you don’t have any family recipes to bake from, try finding some online or look for cookbooks with easy-to-follow instructions so even the most inexperienced bakers can join in on the fun.
Baking is not only a fun and unique tradition for Christmas, but it also helps spread joy to others. Giving away cookies to your neighbors or friends will surely brighten their day and make them feel special. This can be an especially meaningful act of kindness if you have elderly neighbors with no family around during the holidays. It’s easy to forget about those without close family members, so bake some extra treats and make sure to share them with those in need of some holiday cheer.
8. Gift-giving
Gift-giving is an important part of Christmas. It’s a way to express love and appreciation for family, friends, and even strangers. Gift-giving can be done in various ways, from purchasing items or creating handmade gifts to offering acts of service or volunteering your time. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive either – it’s about the thought that goes into it. Homemade gifts such as cookies, personalized cards, mugs, framed photos, etc., are all meaningful gestures that show you care.
And if you’re feeling extra generous this season, why not consider donating to charities and helping those who may not have access to the same holiday cheer? No matter how you decide to give this season, let your gifts be a reminder that love and kindness always come first.
9. Charity and volunteer time
During the holidays giving back is especially important as people may not have access to much-needed resources during this time of year due to financial hardship. Consider volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating in toy drives, or other charitable organizations in your community. You could also donate clothes and other items to people in need. Not only will you be helping those in your community, but it’s also a great way to teach children the importance of giving and ensuring everyone is taken care of during the holiday season.
10. Adopting a Family
If you have the means and resources to do so, consider adopting a family for Christmas. This could mean giving them gifts or food, clothing or even offering emotional support. By doing this, you can show others how much joy and love there is during the holidays by simply reaching out to those who may not otherwise get those kinds of things.
Our church is adopting families for gift giving as well as Christmas meals! The church gives us flexibility on how many meals or gifts we can give based on our financial capabilities.
11. Christmas movie marathon
A Christmas movie marathon is one of the most popular holiday traditions for families to join in on. Not only does it bring a special family-friendly bonding time, but it also allows everyone to take part in some festive cheer! Whether you opt for an old classic or something more recent, getting together and watching your favorite Christmas movies is sure to create lasting memories. Ensure you gather up all your popcorn, and cozy blankets, grab some hot cocoa, and get ready for a night of fun!
Trust me on this one- Christmas movie marathons are a tradition that will stay with your family for years to come (I still remember Home Alone movies lol). Need I say more? Friends- It’s time to start making those holiday memories!
12. Christmas music
Another tradition is to start playing Christmas music throughout your homes in December (I actually start in November since I’m a Christmas gal). From classic carols to modern jingles, having festive music can bring a feeling of nostalgia and happiness into your home.
You can access an extensive library of Christmas songs through streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music. If you prefer old-fashioned records, plenty of classic albums are available online or at local stores. There are even playlists specifically for kids who want something more cheerful than traditional 12 Days of Christmas tunes.
P.S For me, I love old Christmas music. My favorite Christmas album is the 1963 12 song album by Jim Reeves!
And that’s it, folks, Christmas Tradition Ideas
No matter how you choose to celebrate the season, these 12 family-friendly Christmas traditions are sure to bring joy and cheer to your holiday celebrations this year! From winter light shows to gift-giving- there are plenty of fun activities in which everyone in your household can participate. With all these ideas, you will indeed have an unforgettable Christmas celebration!
Here is the video about Christmas traditions I recorded a few weeks back. It will go live on 12/19/2022!
If you are intrested in really affordable gift ideas, please read this post that I wrote, “10 Insanely Affordable Christian Gifts for Every Family Member”
Hugs!

Creating your own family traditions is such a wonderful thing to do. The kids love it and it just adds so much during this season. For us as a family we get together to do the tree, drive around and see Christmas lights, quite involved with carols that the church puts up( it is a large community event). And also do an advent reading plan together.