23 Classic Christmas Traditions To Try With Your Kids
Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide. It is a busy season full of decorating, shopping, gift giving, and trying to fit in as much family time as we possibly can.
As a parent, it’s easy to feel a lot of pressure during this time of year. Pressure to give our kids the picture-perfect memories we want them to have. Pressure to spark their imagination and create holiday magic they’ll remember for years to come. It’s a lot.
Amidst all the busyness, don’t forget that our kids might not remember all the little details of traditions that we try so hard to make perfect, but they will remember being together. That’s the important thing.
Below is a list of some simple classic traditions that will help you decide what might work best for your family to create those holiday memories year after year.
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23 Christmas Traditions for Kids
1. Christmas Pickle
This is a fun Christmas tradition that takes place on Christmas Eve. Mom and Dad hide the Pickle ornament somewhere on the tree. The first child to find the ornament on Christmas morning gets a reward. Whether that be opening the first present, getting an extra small gift, or being the first one served at Christmas dinner.
2. Christmas Poetry Tea Time
There are many poems out there about Christmas besides “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” but that is a good place to start. Drinking apple cider or hot cocoa while eating tea time snacks and reading or listening to Christmas poetry is a thoughtful tradition that your kids are sure to love.
3. Scripture Reading
The roots of Christmas are deep in Christianity. If you celebrate Christmas as a part of your religion and want to teach your kids about Christ’s birth, then reading Scripture is a perfect tradition for you. You can choose one night to read Luke chapter 2, the Christmas story, or you can do a Jesse tree advent reading plan.
4. 25 Days of Christmas Books
If you are looking to instill a love of reading in your kids and spark their imagination, then this is a great tradition.
Shop your home and your local bookstore to find 25 books that are Christmas or winter themed. Then wrap them up and open and read one each night as an advent activity leading up to the special day.
Maybe you can even find a book about Christmas traditions in the past or around the world.
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5. Driving Around in Pajamas to See Christmas Lights
This festive Christmas tradition is great for those of us who are tired parents. Put on your matching Christmas pajamas, grab a hot cocoa for the kids, and maybe a peppermint mocha for yourself, and drive around until they drift off into dreams of Christmas magic.
6. Baking Cookies
Baking Christmas cookies with your kids will fill your house with amazing Christmas smells, and it will later fill your bellies with Christmas cheer. Try going for a different recipe each year or doing a Christmas cookie exchange with friends.
7. Giving Manger
If you want to slow down during the holiday season and really embrace kindness and giving to others, then the Giving Manger will definitely help you do that. Each time you do a kind act, you place a piece of straw in the manger until the manger is full of straw and ready for baby Jesus on Christmas morning.
8. Going to the Tree Farm
Going to pick out a Christmas tree every year is a wonderful tradition, and it makes a nice opportunity to snap a picture for your family Christmas cards as well. Make sure to take it slow and let your kids lead on this one.
9. Buying (Or Crafting!) a New Ornament for Each Child
This is a small tradition, but one your child will literally carry with them forever. It’s also nice because then when they are grown and start their own family, they’ll have stories to tell from each ornament.
You could even get really into it and craft your children’s ornaments!
10. Movie Night with Popcorn
Movie night is a great tradition, and there are so many movies to choose from, which makes this a popular choice for families with a wide age range of kids. There are even Christmas baking shows or Christmas light competition shows if you want to make it a weekly thing during December.
And don’t forget the festive snacks!
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11. Making Ornaments (Salt Dough, Birdseed, Etc.)
Making ornaments is such a versatile tradition. Salt dough ornaments make great gifts for grandparents or gift tags. Birdseed ornaments hung on trees outside are a great way to watch and learn about local wildlife. You can also string cranberries and popcorn for a garland.
There are even ornaments that can be made from recycled materials you have at home, making them a great no-waste tradition.
12. Decorating Gingerbread Houses
Decorating gingerbread houses is great, because there are so many options. You can use graham crackers, pre-made kits, or make your own gingerbread at home. It just depends on how much extra time you have.
Get a variety of your kids’ favorite snacks or candies, make a simple frosting, and let the memory making begin! You can even involve them in the clean up process.
13. Candle Making/Rolling
If your parenting style leans towards Waldorf or Montessori traditions, then candle making is a great tradition for you.
This might be one of the oldest Christmas traditions, dating back to the 4th Century. Candles and lights have always been a big part of Christmas, which we celebrate at the darkest time of the year.
They even have DIY kits now to make it even easier.
14. Donating Food and Toys to Those in Need
If you want to instill in your kids the reason for the season, then donating cans of food to your local homeless shelter or giving gifts to kids in need is a great way to do that.
15. Attend a Play or Ballet
Whether it’s The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, or It’s a Wonderful Life, live Christmas shows can really make the holidays come alive for your kids and maybe even spark a love of performing and the arts.
16. Sleepover (Or Picnic) Under the Christmas Tree
Curling up for a sleepover with no light, but the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights, is magical. If bedtime is sacred to you, and you would rather your kids be in their beds, try having a picnic by the Christmas tree instead.
17. Play in the Snow or Go Ice Skating
Building a snowman or having a snowball fight is classic Christmas fun. If you want to go the extra mile, you could go ice skating. Indoor rinks would make this tradition possible even in warmer climates.
18. Christmas Caroling
You know what they say, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear.” This is a great tradition to bring friends along for. Make a list of those who could use some Christmas cheer and go caroling.
19. Write Letters to Santa or Those Who Are Shut-Ins
Writing letters to Santa is a holiday tradition that is centuries old. However, if you are hesitant to do Santa in your home, you can also make and send cards to those who are shut-ins or relatives who live far away. It is a good tradition to teach kindness and empathy to others.
20. Visit Santa
A classic holiday tradition; visiting Santa, telling him what you want for Christmas, and getting your picture taken. For households who celebrate the magic of Santa this time of year, it will be a wonderful memory to look back on through the years.
21. Christmas Fun Run (Charity 5K)
This is another great tradition to give back and remember those less fortunate than us during the holiday season. If your kids are older, or you live in a warmer climate, this would be perfect for your family.
22. Elf on the Shelf
A newer tradition that’s been around since 2005. Elf on the Shelf is all about positive reinforcement for kids during the Holidays.
One of Santa’s scout elves comes to your house on December first and you get to set up creative scenes with it every day for them to find. The elf reports back to Santa about whether your kid is on the naughty or nice list.
23. Church Christmas Program
Signing up to perform in your local church Christmas program is a good tradition to build character in your kids and teach them service to others, as well as create an appreciation for acting. Keep in mind that this is more than just a one day tradition, because you will most likely have to bring them to practices, as well as attend the program.
Traditions for Christmas Memories With Your Kids
If you want to create good quality family memories, but don’t know where to start, then begin by picking just one tradition.
Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of money or even gifts to make magical holiday memories. Your kids just need some of your love and undivided attention. You are enough for them!
What About You?
What new Christmas tradition(s) will you try this holiday season? What are your favorite childhood memories of Christmas traditions? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to share this post to spread even more – Christmas cheer!