Christmas is just around the corner, which means the time to start planning is now. What is known as the most wonderful time of the year is graced with celebrations and quality time together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Some may be wondering, “what can I do to get my family ready for this holiday season?” Well, Christmas is a time of traditions for families and we have some simple ideas to help create festive memories. Here are our favorite simple Christmas traditions that kids will love!
Simple Christmas Traditions For Children
Build your own ornaments
Whether it is with paper and markers or salt and dough, homemade ornaments are one of the best ways to spend time together as a family. This craft allows the kids to utilize their creativity while being able to present their ornaments proudly on the Christmas tree. Plus, for parents, the supplies necessary are quite cheap which is always a win!
Create an advent calendar
Advent calendars are an exciting way to count down the days until Christmas, especially when they have little gifts or snacks inside. We put together our favorite DIY advent calendar ideas, which has many different options for advent calendar styles. This tradition provides a little treat for the kids, making them eager for the next day’s trinket.
The link to our DIY advent calendar ideas can be found here.
Make a DIY Christmas photo booth
Do you want Christmas memories that will last a lifetime? Then a DIY Christmas photo booth is just for you! This tradition involves some DIY and some plain old fun, as the family can come together to make their own photo booth and photo booth props. The kids can let out their excitement for Christmas through fun photos! The pictures taken can be used for a festive social media post or a Christmas card. The choice is yours!
Create homemade stockings
Stockings are one of the added bonuses when opening Christmas presents, so why not make your own? Each member of the family can come up with a decor theme for their stocking that will make it 100% personalized. DIY crafts are a great way to get in the holiday spirit, which brings the whole family together!
Festive Pajama Exchange
Start a tradition of gifting each family member a cozy pair of holiday-themed pajamas on Christmas Eve. Waking up in matching jammies adds an extra touch of magic to the morning festivities and makes for adorable photo ops!
Santa’s Special Plate
Let the kids decorate a special plate for Santa’s cookies and a cup for his milk. On Christmas Eve, they can leave out their masterpiece along with a heartfelt note for the jolly old man. It’s a sweet way to add a personal touch to the magic.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Create a Christmas themed scavenger hunt around the house or in the yard. Leave clues leading to small treats or surprises. The excitement and anticipation as they follow the trail is pure holiday joy!
Outdoor Adventure
If you’re fortunate enough to have a white Christmas, bundle up and head outdoors for some fun in the snow. Building snowmen, having a friendly snowball fight, or even going sledding are sure to create unforgettable memories.
Festive Hot Cocoa Bar
Set up a hot cocoa station with mugs, marshmallows, whipped cream, and a variety of toppings. Let the little ones create their own signature cocoa concoctions. It’s a delightful way to warm up after a chilly winter day.
Holiday Photo Album
As a family, create a photo album or scrapbook capturing the best moments of the holiday season. Include pictures of tree decorating, cookie baking, and all the special activities you enjoy together. This album will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.
Musical Moments
Encourage musical creativity by having a family sing-along or talent show. Break out the instruments, gather ’round, and make some sweet holiday music together.
Visit a Tree Farm
Start a tradition of visiting a local tree farm to choose and cut down your Christmas tree. Let the kids have a say in the selection process—it’s a fun family adventure that results in a tree filled with memories.
Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time together and create cherished moments. These simple traditions are about fostering a sense of love, joy, and togetherness during this magical season.
Christmas Eve Traditions
Go look at Christmas lights
Holiday decorations, pretty lights, Christmas spirit, what gets better than that? Taking the kids to go look at Christmas lights around the neighborhood is the best way to get excited for Christmas Day, while being together. The kids can then vote at the end of the trip as to what their favorite house decor was to make it even more fun!
Go to sleep in matching pajamas
Our family tradition in my house is sleeping in matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, so we can open presents in matching attire on Christmas Day. Present the pajamas as though Santa left them for the family and viola! Watch the excitement within the kids unfold, as it is like opening a present before Christmas Day.
Bake cookies for Santa and make reindeer food
Get ready for Santa and the reindeer’s arrival by making them some snacks! Get the kids together to help out with the cooking process and have them write a little thank you note to go with the food. This way the kids can feel as though they are talking to Santa and feel involved in making his night delivering presents easier.
Set up a hot chocolate bar
What is one way to get children excited for food and drinks? Allowing them to choose what goes in it! A hot chocolate bar with different hot chocolate toppings is an exciting way to spend Christmas Eve with the family. Set up a variety of toppings and allow the kids to choose their favorites!
Watch Christmas movies as a family
From the previous option, the best thing to do after getting hot chocolate is to put on a Christmas movie. Have your kids write down their favorite Christmas movies and use that as a playlist to enjoy some time together on Christmas Eve! The laughs and holiday spirit are sure to bring the family together.
Christmas Day Traditions
Decorate the house as presents
Prior to waking up on Christmas Day, decorate the house as presents (doors, cabinets, etc.) and have the kids wake up to a fully decorated home! Even better, decorate the kid’s door and have them unwrap it as their first present before heading to the main room to open presents.
Open presents
Let’s be real, what kid does not enjoy opening presents on Christmas Day? While this is a well-known Christmas Day tradition, get the kids involved by announcing each present as it is brought out from under the tree. My family used to do this and we would call the kids “Santa’s helpers” to make it even more special!
Gingerbread houses
Something creative that you can also eat afterwards? Yes, please! A gingerbread house competition on Christmas Day is a wonderful way for the children to participate in some friendly competition. For even more fun, instead of buying a gingerbread house kit, make your own at home and have the kids join in!
Listen to Christmas music
Opening presents, having meals, spending time together, put on some Christmas tunes that your children will love! Ask your kids for their favorite Christmas songs and set up a playlist that can be played throughout the day! Before you know it, the kids will be singing and dancing along to the songs, spreading their own Christmas joy.
Simple Christmas Traditions Kids Will Love – Final Note
No matter what, simple traditions are a great way to build memories for the children. Some traditions they will pass on to their own kids, which is beautiful within itself. Creating these simple Christmas traditions gets the children involved and allows for the whole family to get in on some holiday fun! Make this family holiday even more special by creating memories with your kids that will last a lifetime. For more party ideas, click here. Otherwise, have a great holiday season!
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About Author
Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mom of three. She started Darling Celebrations back in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating the special events in life.
