Hello!

13 Comments

I love this time of year. The days are long, the sun is warm and the house is filled with more laughter (mostly) and unique smells that instantly bring a smile to my face. There’s no doubt that it’s the smell and sound of tradition, the traditions of Christmas.

Do you remember things about the festive season when you were growing up? Was it something you ate? The smell of glazed ham, garden potatoes or fresh prawns? Or was it making presents for each other or going to the local carols? As I think about what this time of year means to me, it becomes evident that it’s the traditions we have as a family, that make Christmas so special. The more I talk to others, I hear about new traditions, some of which really excite me.

Traditions are what make us, they are embedded into our culture, our history and shape our norm. A recent conversation about Christmas traditions got me excited so let me share some special Christmas traditions with you … so in no particular order here are some ideas I’ve put together:

  1. December = Christmas story month! The excitement of snuggling up our kids and seeing their faces light up with a Christmas story will never get old. Get out your collection of Christmas books and read one each night until Christmas, perhaps is there a new one added each year? Perhaps there are 12 on rotation, 24 special ones (!) or even a special six? It is a beautiful way to bond and get the kids excited and reinforce the special stories of Christmas. Why not do a swap with family or friends for a week or two to get a fresh story or too to read?
  2. Sweet dreams – get your kids a special Christmas pillow case that they use for the month of December (with regular washing of course)
  3. Tis the season to be kind – This is one of my absolute favourite traditions. For me Christmas is as much about being gracious and showing gratitude as it is anything else so I am right behind the “acts of kindness” traditions. This one costs nothing, or very little and can translate anyway you want but the idea is that you work together as a family to do things for others, as acts of kindness. 10 days / 12 days / 5 days / 1 day it doesn’t matter – do what works for your family
  4. Ginger all around us – when I recently spoke to a group of mums one of their favourite traditions involved cooking and in particular cooking ginger bread men or gingerbread houses. I absolutely loved this, and what a special treat for the kids. They told me this is an annual tradition as soon as the kids break up from school. I know not everyone is a Betty Crocker, so I did some research and Ikea has delivered. They have kits from just $5. If you trust your kids decorating skills they would also make beautiful gifts. I’ve also seen local supermarkets with some great kits too!
  5. Escape the distraction and make decorating your tree a phone free time – today we have a unhealthy relationship with our phone, iPads and other devices so why not actively pop them away and have distraction free time, tune into your family only as you set up and decorate your tree, put the carols on and just enjoy all that Christmas has to offer.
  6. Mark the year. Another favourite, don’t let the years fly by unnoticed get a special something that reminds of the year gone by and hang it on the tree – mark it with the years date. It could be from a holiday, a special place you’ve been, something from your home or garden or just something you love – you will create lasting memories and create talking points in the years to come
  7. The special Christmas Eve Book – I know a few families who have a special read of The Night Before Christmas, and have done for generations
  8. Pay it forward – I think this is a special idea and one I am going to be embracing. Going to a local toy store and choosing a gift each for someone less fortunate than ourselves. Each child chooses one for a child the same age, wraps them and then leaves them under one of the donation trees.
  9. Christmas Night ideas (if you have the energy). How about once the kids are in bed on Christmas night, you put together new toys and games so that they can spend the entire Boxing Day playing with their gifts – extend the fun?

Some other favourite traditions I’ve come across include:

  • Making Christmas wrapping paper – fun holiday activities for the kids and so cherished by the recipient (or reusing artwork from the year that has bee?)
  • Christmas reef making with your friends (Adults that is)– forage each other’s gardens, pop the champagne and have fun creating something unique with a ring of oasis!
  • Make an electronic Christmas Card – save on paper and get the family involved on making an electronic card
  • Get into the spirit of Christmas –after the kids have gone to bed (finally) create and organise the Santa gifts or eat the milk and cookies – with Santa hats on!
  • Write Santa letters – and then receive real replies
  • Elf on the shelf – too fun
  • Annual Santa photos
  • Baking gifts and Santa cookies

Christmas is a time for family, friends, laughter, love, food, tradition and gratitude. Why not add a new ritual this year and see if it sticks? It may just become a tradition for years to come.

Tell us your special Christmas traditions in the comments below.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • We had a Xmas pillow slip for all of December – made it so special in the lead up to Xmas

    Reply

  • Don’t think we had too many traditions. We just enjoyed the excitement and fun of Christmas in general

    Reply

  • I enjoy the advent calendar. We always make our own so they’re full of fun surprises and activities

    Reply

  • We love to cook and be creative together – lots of cooking and lots of making decorations.

    Reply

  • Doing Santa with my kids. There’s not long left of them believing so making the most of it.

    Reply

  • Christmas lunch with our precious friends !

    Reply

  • I love the Christmas tradition of dressing the Christmas tree! So much joy!

    Reply

  • My kids LOVE making a gingerbread house. It’s usually wonky, but who cares?


    • We love making gingerbread houses too – for us and for family and friends.

    Reply

  • We like choosing a new Christmas decoration for the Christmas tree every year. And we generally build a Gingerbread house together. On Christmas day we always read a Christmas story together. Even now that my daughter is 16! :-)

    Reply

  • We have a few traditions but not too involved as both us parents work and work gets so busy at this time of the year!
    We do some painting of new Christmas decorations- the kids have their own little tree for this, they have an Advent calendar- which they love. And they have Christmas t-shirts each year to wear during December.

    Reply

  • I love the idea of kindness I think we’ll adopt this. Also love Christmas baking and Christmas craft.

    Reply

  • This is only the second Christmas I have had with my son, but we are staring to build traditions together. We made the wrapping paper this year by getting a long roll of paper and I let him loose with paint! Cheaper and it looks great! We also have decorated the tree and decorated some biscuits which he loved doing.
    For the last 7 years hubby, myself and our 2 nephews (and last year with our baby) collect sheets, towels, toys and treats through the year and donate to the animal welfare league in SA. It’s our way of giving and the kids love collecting and delivering it all in the week leading up to Christmas.
    I cant wait as my son gets older and begins to understand the magic and excitement of Christmas, and then we can incorporate more traditions.
    My sister and her two kids and I every year go looking at lights at night time. We have the Christmas music on, snacks and drinks in the car and we just have a great time, it will be even more special when Archer is old enough to come too!

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join