Holidays can be fun and memorable but they can also be stressful if you have to travel to be with family or your relationships are strained. For whatever reason, you might be ready to start your own holiday traditions to make the season special – even amid some stress.
Traditions don’t have to be complicated or expensive – giving your family quality time together is what it’s all about. Read on to get ideas for starting your holiday traditions.
Have a Special Holiday Movie to Watch Each Year
Watching movies together as a family not only equals more time together but also more fun. There are many holiday movies to choose from so you might even rotate a few in the weeks leading to Hannukah or Christmas.
This relaxing family activity will be one you all look forward to as the holiday season can be full of more chaotic gatherings. Films can even have a positive impact on children! And kids will love being part of choosing the family movie. Of course, the snacks will please family members of all ages!
Tour Your Hometown
Going out of town is not always necessary for your holidays – or desirable! You can tour your town and explore the holiday traditions specific to where you live. And if you have guests visiting you, your family members will get to know your hometown better.
Holiday parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, craft fairs, and more are held throughout December. You’ll also spot plenty of Christmas lights along the way. You can have the kiddos in your group vote for their favorite decorations.
Host a Holiday Reading
There are tons of holiday books and stories you can use for a reading. The well-known poem “The Night Before Christmas” is a classic choice or you can go with a modern favorite like “The Polar Express.” You can choose to use the same one each year and rotate who reads it or have several family members read several stories.
This type of tradition encourages reading for kids and if you’re lucky enough to gather around a fireplace it will add to the sense of holiday cheer. You can also choose to do your reading by candlelight or with some background music – Christmas carols or Hanukkah music – will make this a memorable tradition.
Bake a Special Holiday Dish or Dessert
One goal of coming up with new holiday traditions is to ensure that it’s a season to remember. Marking the time with special recipe is a great easy way to do this. It could be a cake, cookies, or even something savory that the whole family can participate in making – and, of course, eating.
Having the dish be one you only make during the holidays will make it extra special. You could also try variations each year adding different ingredients. And you could even give the dish a special name using your last name or a word that represents your family.
Rock Matching Outfits
What could be more fun than a whole family in matching outfits? Getting matching outfits or pajamas for the entire family during the holiday season will also make for adorable pictures. Kiddos will also get extra excited to see their parents and even grandparents in the same clothing as them. As they get older, they can also help pick the outfits.
Host a Game Night
When everyone is together for the holidays it’s easy for things to get a little boring. A game night can kickstart the season and offer some entertainment. If it’s a hit, the game night can become a trademark tradition and be celebrated at a different family member’s home each year.
Try Different Ways of Gift Swapping
It can get boring, not to mention expensive, when buying for many family members year after year. Try a different way of gift-swapping to see if that tradition suits your group better. You can implement a White Elephant format (also known as Yankee Swap) or choose names at random and have one person to buy for.
Make or Enjoy Food as a Tribute
Preparing meals (or even ordering foods) that were departed family members’ favorites can be a new tradition that pays respects to your loved ones who can’t be here. You could also make something that was their signature dish or a recipe they created. These meals honor all the memories you shared while they were alive. This tradition is also a way to teach children about their deceased family members who they may not remember or never met. You could also look to your family’s ancestry and choose a dish from your native land to start a new tradition.
Final Tips for Starting a New Holiday Tradition
Having the entire family involved in planning a new tradition can keep everyone engaged and excited through the holiday season. If something doesn’t fit your family you can change it or try a new tradition until you find one you all love.
The goal is to have a joyful holiday season that feels special without creating added stress.