Christmas has always been a time of joy for me, but becoming a mom has made it even more special. I love blending the family holiday traditions I had growing up with my husband’s and even creating our own special Xmas traditions.
Now, as I watch my baby’s eyes light up at the twinkling lights and the holiday cheer, I’m excited to start some Christmas traditions that will become part of our family’s story.
I want to create memories that will last long after the presents are unwrapped and the decorations are put away, just like the ones I have.
There are so many fun Christmas traditions out there, so we have rounded up some adorable ones you can start with your baby or kids as they get older.
From quiet moments to fun activities, here are some of our favorite holiday traditions to start with baby that I’m sure will bring a smile to your face, too.
Memorable Christmas Traditions To Start This Year
Write a Letter To Santa
If your kids are old enough to write, this is a great christmas tradition to start! Not only is it incredibly cute, your child will be so excited to receive a letter back. Getting them that much more excited for the Holidays.
You can write the letter from Santa yourself or purchase a customizable letter that looks official!
To get a stamped envelope back from ‘Santa’ in the North Pole follow the instructions here (note: you have to send YOUR prewritten Santa letter to be sent back).
But don’t forget to photocopy the original letter for your own memory books!
Put The Christmas Tree Up On The First Sunday of December
I know everyone has a different time when they like to put the tree up, however, the first Sunday of December is the perfect time slot if you want to start a Tradition!
It’s likely everyone will be home on Sunday and you can go out early in the morning to pick out a tree and spend the day decorating, making for a memorable (and amazing) day.
Everyone can plan ahead and get excited for that first Sunday every year to come.
(Another popular day to put the tree up, is the day after Thanksgiving, but my family occasionally travels that weekend, so it would break the tradition for me)
Decorate Christmas Ornaments
Things hold more value when they are made by those we love and cherish.
That’s why having a tree decorated with ornaments your family has made makes it that much more special.
You can get clear plastic ornaments which could be filled up with a anything you want (confetti, string, etc.).
But my personal favorite is the wooden ornaments you can paint yourself! Such a treat to decorate the tree with the hand-painted decorations.
Do a Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Okay, so a holiday scavenger hunt might take a little planning, but hear me out: it’s totally worth it. Imagine the chaos—and the fun—of having the kids running around the house, solving clues, and trying to find whatever you’ve hidden.
Honestly, it’s more about keeping them entertained while also feeling like a genius for coming up with something so simple and effective.
And if you want to really up the stakes, lead them to their presents. Bonus points if you can get them to run through the house like little detectives, all hyped up on Christmas cookies and excitement.
Just leave a couple of clues under the tree, and watch them go nuts trying to figure it out. It’s honestly way more fun than just handing them the gift right away. Plus, you get to look like the “cool parent” who has all the tricks up their sleeve.
Best part? It doesn’t even matter if the clues are a little cheesy or weird. They’re not going to remember the exact wording of your riddle—just the fact that they spent the whole morning running around like maniacs.
And let’s be real, it’s probably going to be a hilarious disaster, but at least they’ll have a good story to tell.
Make (or Purchase) an Advent Calendar
So, advent calendars. You’ve probably seen them everywhere—those fancy little boxes with doors you open every day leading up to Christmas.
If you’re all about tradition, it’s a pretty solid way to countdown the days until Christmas.
You get the whole “preparing for the holiday spirit” thing, without just staring at the calendar like a psychopath.
Now, here’s the real question: do you go the DIY route, or do you splurge and buy one that’s already done for you? I mean, sure, you could make your own, but that’s a whole “craft project” thing.
You could probably spend hours gluing tiny glittery things to matchboxes while your kids “help” by spilling glitter everywhere.
Or, if you’re feeling lazy (which, let’s be real, is a mood), just buy one of those pre-made, ridiculously cute advent calendars that’ll look perfect on your mantle and make you seem like you have your life together.
Either way, it’s an easy way to build some suspense for the big day, without actually having to do much. You get to open little doors every day, and maybe inside, there’s a piece of chocolate or a small toy.
It’s like getting a mini gift every day for 24 days. Who doesn’t love that? Honestly, it’s just a fun, low-effort way to add some holiday cheer to the grind of everyday life.
Have A Christmas Themed Movie Night
Invite all the children in your family and watch some amazing (and classic) Christmas movies to celebrate the season.
There are so many amazing ones to choose from like The Grinch or Home Alone! Years can pass, and these will still be a classic.
But let’s be real, you’re probably not just watching for the kids. There’s something about sitting down with a bowl of popcorn and zoning out to the same movies you’ve watched every year. It’s like a holiday tradition that you never really outgrow.
And, hey, you don’t need a fancy setup. Just get cozy in your mismatched pajamas, throw a blanket on the couch, and let the Christmas magic (or chaos) unfold.
Bake Christmas Cookies
Children loooove baking and playing with their hands. Getting the entire family involved in baking sweet reindeer shaped cookies is a great way to bond and celebrate the season.
Get Christmas themed cookie cutters and find plenty of delicious recipes on youtube for free!
Seriously, there are more recipes than you could ever need, and most of them don’t require you to be a professional baker. You’ll end up with a mountain of cookies, some of which may actually look like reindeer, and others that are, let’s say, “abstract art.”
Just be prepared for sugar highs and giggles as your kitchen turns into a mini baking disaster zone. But hey, that’s half the fun, right?
Drive Around The Neighborhood
This had to have been one of my favorite things to do growing up!
We would all get in the car and drive around for hours just looking at decorated houses and lights! Finding one that was all decked out felt magical!
Children’s eyes just light up seeing a brightly lit, christmas-y house!
There’s no need for anything fancy—just roll down the windows, crank up the Christmas music, and soak in the holiday cheer.
Wear Matching Pajama Sets
Going to bed on Christmas Eve and waking up to the whole family in matching pajamas? Yeah, it’s cheesy—but it’s also ridiculously cute!
It’s like the Christmas version of a family uniform, and somehow it just makes everything feel a little more festive.
Even if you’re not a “matching clothes” kind of family, there’s something undeniably fun about everyone in the same set of pajamas.
Don’t forget to have a photo-op every year in the matching PJs! Sure, you’ll probably look a little silly—especially if you’re wearing those oversized flannel pants—but years down the road, you’ll look back at those pictures and laugh about it.
Plus, it’s the one time of year you can get away with wearing pajamas all day without anyone judging you.
So, embrace it. It’s like a little tradition that makes the holiday season feel extra cozy (even if you’re secretly wishing for a nap by noon).
Christmas Morning Family Photo
Set a self-timer and have everyone in-front of the Christmas tree, hair a mess, in matching pajamas with big smiles!
Those ‘natural’ pictures without loads of makeup and preparation are the ones you’ll cherish the most!
Hang Stockings
Putting up stockings has become such common practice that we forget it’s a tradition!
I absolutely love stockings. I think they feel even more Christmas-y to me than the Tree. There’s just something about having them over the fireplace that warms my heart.
Start A Giving Tradition
This will look different from family to family but it’s good to set it up one year and have everyone looking forward to it!
In my family, we set up a ‘Secret Santa’ type tradition but only with handmade gifts! That way, the kids can participate and make something special for grandma (or whoever their Secret Santa pick is).
Plus, we tend to cherish handmade crafts more than purchased goods.
Hide The Christmas Pickle
Such an odd tradition! Hiding the Christmas pickle os a fun little thing you can do and whoever finds it get’s to open the family present.
The family present can be anything, like chocolates. Or you can create your own ‘prize’ for whoever finds the pickle.
(By the way, you don’t have to use a real pickle! You can buy a fake pickle for less than $10 and reuse every year)
Make A Gingerbread House
Get the entire family together to decorate your very own gingerbread house!
You can all design one gingerbread house or have have everyone design their own and have a little gingerbread village (how cute!)
Practice Gratitude
The holidays are a time to be grateful and it’s important to remember that.
Whether you had an amazing or difficult year, we all have things we can give thanks for. As your family to come up with 25 things they are grateful for.
You can read it out-loud to one another or put hang the lists up around the house as a gentle reminder during the season of everything you are blessed to have.
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? Will you participting in any of these traditions this year?
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