Creating New Christmas Traditions
Starting New Traditions with Your Children this Christmas
Dec 7, 2008
Whether you are a new parent looking to start your own special Christmas traditions with your new family, or experienced parents looking for a new tradition to add some fun to a tired Christmas holiday, these ideas can be for you. Spending special time with family and friends during the Christmas season is an important thing to keep in mind when considering what traditions to add to your family routine.
Christmas Tree Traditions
Pick a special day to go get a Christmas tree each year. Pick a day that you can devote entirely to family fun, such as the Saturday after Thanksgiving, or the first Saturday of December, or the last Saturday before Christmas. Change up how you get your tree. If you usually go to the local hardware store and pick the best tree you can find, consider finding a Christmas tree farm and cutting your own tree down.
Spend the rest of the day decorating the tree, house and making batches of Christmas cookies. Serve the same hot beverage, such as hot chocolate or hot cider. Choose a favorite Christmas movie to watch together, or leave the TV off and listen to Christmas music.
Christmas Eve Traditions
Instead of waiting until Christmas day to open all Christmas presents, consider choosing one special present to open Christmas eve. Consider purchasing your children new pajamas and allow that to be the Christmas eve gift so that they can wear their new pajamas to bed. Have an extended family dinner and gift exchange at your house. You can also put your children to bed after reading a special Christmas story.
Most churches hold Christmas Eve services that include Christmas carols, reading the Christmas story from the Bible and cookies. A family service usually focuses on including the children in the congregation as well, making it a fun way to spend some time together on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day Traditions
Christmas morning can begin as early as you want, or as late as you can keep your children in bed. Beat your children downstairs and turn the Christmas tree lights on, setting out all your hidden presents to provide an enthralling sight for the little ones. Fixing hot drinks to enjoy while listening to the Christmas story read can help prolong the suspense.
Starting with stockings, take time to open and unwrap each gift, teaching your children patience and good manners while others are opening a gift. You can spread the gift opening out as long as you want, even hiding various gifts around the house for your children to find throughout the day.
Getting together with extended family for a special meal, or for gift exchanges can be a great way to round out the day. Spend time together watching a special Christmas movie or watching football. Have your children pack up a box of old toys to put in storage or donate to those in need in order to make room for the new toys.
This Christmas consider adding a new Christmas tradition to your family routine. Creating special family memories will build lasting relationships, help avoid holiday stress, and encourage lingering memories for your children to grow with.
Consider making New Years Traditions with your family as well.
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