"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, there's something magical about the beautiful light displays, holiday cheer, and general happiness surrounding the season. Along with Thanksgiving, Christmas is the perfect time to get together with friends, family, and loved ones to reminisce and create new memories. Looking back on your childhood, was there a special Christmas memory, like baking cookies for Santa, that you look back on fondly? Maybe you or your family have a special set of holiday decor that only comes out at Christmas that you look forward to unwrapping each year. Whatever the Christmas tradition is, it's important to keep it going year after year to keep it alive.
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If you don't have a Christmas tradition, or simply want to begin a new one, this year is the perfect time to start. Not only is it incredibly easy to do, once it's repeated two years in a row, everyone will think it's been around forever. If you're worried a tradition needs to be elaborate, like cooking a full Christmas meal, you'd be wrong. Traditions can be as simple as wrapping presents or watching your favorite Christmas movie or getting the family together for your favorite Christmas activities.
If you need some inspiration, check out our 30 Christmas traditions perfect to incorporate into your holiday this year.
- Bake Christmas Cookies: Thanks to Pinterest and cooking websites, it's very easy to find a Christmas cookie that you can bake up at home. If you're feeling ambitious, you could bake up several different styles of cookies and host a cookie swap with friends and family.
- Write Thank-You Cards: Save yourself time by writing thank-you cards before the present opening takes place. You can hand deliver the cards to everyone plus spend time enjoying your actual gift.
- Send Holiday Cards: What's more spirited than sending holiday cards to friends and loved ones? Whether you get professional photos taken, or make a DIY card, sending cards is a sure way to spread the Christmas spirit. Don't forget your heartfelt Christmas wishes.
- Watch Christmas Movies: You can of course, watch Christmas movies any time of year, but there's something extra special about curling up on the couch to enjoy a movie marathon. The hardest part is deciding whether to watch a Hallmark Christmas romance or a family classic like "Elf."
- Take a winter stroll: No matter where you live, getting outside and getting some fresh air will feel amazing. If you live in a temperate climate, a nice walk around the neighborhood or a hike can be a great way to burn some energy. Bundling up and walking or strolling through the snow is a great way to warm up while enjoying the idyllic winter scenery.
- Wrap presents: Do you plan ahead or procrastinate when it comes to wrapping gifts? Either way, the Christmas season is the perfect time to get out the wrapping paper, and bags and get everything wrapped in time to line the tree.
- Hang the mistletoe: Mistletoe is known as the kissing plant and is traditionally hung up in doorways. While you don't have to participate in the kissing tradition, the green leaves and white flowers give your home a festive look.
- Wear family pajamas: It's always fun to have an excuse to dress up, and what's better than dressing in cozy family Christmas pajamas? There are tons of options now for the entire family, including babies and even furry friends.
- Cut down a Christmas tree: If you want your house to smell like a fresh Christmas tree farm, you'll need to cut down your own tree. Not only is it fun to pick out your perfect tree, you'll be supporting local farmers. There are many types of Christmas trees out there, so just figure out what is best for your family.
- Go Caroling: Not only is caroling a fun way to show off your singing talents, but it spreads joy to others as well. Gather up a group of your friends and family and take to the neighborhood for all to hear.
- Wear ugly sweaters: Dig deep in your closet, and you'll probably find an old ugly Christmas sweater. Now's the perfect time to dust off the gaudy sweater or DIY your own. The more outrageous and over the top, the better. Be sure to gather everyone for an annual "ugly" family photo.
- Host a Secret Santa: Host a party with friends or just hold a Secret Santa exchange among your family as a fun holiday twist on your annual gift exchange.
- Reminisce: Any time family or distant relatives are together is the perfect time to share memories. If you have old photo books, break those out and share stories from the good old days.
- Volunteer: Christmas is the perfect time of year for giving back to those less fortunate. There are plenty of ways to volunteer your time, such as serving Christmas dinner at a soup kitchen. You could also help hang Christmas lights for an elderly couple or send new toys to a children's hospital. The possibilities are endless.
- Leave cookies for Santa: Everyone knows that Santa gets hungry when delivering all the presents, so leaving him some cookies is only nice. Homemade or store-bought is fine, and bonus, you get to sneak a bite or bites before the morning.
- Enjoy a cup of eggnog: Nothing says holidays like a cup of eggnog. You can purchase a store-bought version, but there are plenty of recipes that are easy enough to make at home. If you're making it for adults, you can add in a little bourbon or rum.
- Build a snowman: If you live somewhere where it snows, making a snowman is an essential activity. Get the whole family involved and decorate your creation with gloves, hats, sticks, and rocks. If you have a ton of snow, you can create a whole snow family, or make unique creations.
- Decorate a gingerbread house: You can purchase gingerbread kits, or if you're feeling ambitious, make your own. This can be a whole family affair, where everyone decorates their own house, and you can even create a friendly competition.
- Look at Christmas lights: No matter where you live, you're sure to find some wonderfully decorated homes. Everyone can load up into the car and drive around the town or neighboring towns to admire the holiday light displays.
- Dress up the pets: Don't forget about your furry friends this Christmas season. There are plenty of places to buy Christmas-themed costumes, sweaters, hats and more for all the dogs and cats in your life.
- Dress fancy: Christmastime is the perfect time to pull out and wear your formal wear. Even if you're just relaxing at home, throw on your special party outfit and take some photos to document the occasion.
- Hide the pickle ornament: The pickle ornament is a German-American tradition, where a small pickle ornament is hidden in the tree. The kid who finds the ornament first gets an extra present to open. Nowadays, it can be used to decide who gets to open the first gift.
- Use an advent calendar: An advent calendar is an unofficial countdown to Christmas, starting on December 1st. There are plenty of options to purchase, or you can get creative and make your own advent calendar.
- Enjoy Christmas Breakfast: Some families like to have a big Christmas dinner, but a filling Christmas breakfast will fuel you for the day's activities. If you don't feel like cooking, there are plenty of restaurants that offer a Christmas Day brunch.
- Open a Christmas Eve gift: Many families spend Christmas morning tearing through presents but reserve one for the night before. It gives kids (and adults) a chance to open a special something to tide them over until the big day.
- Read a story: Gather everyone around for a Christmas bedtime tale. There are plenty of classic stories like "The Polar Express" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
- Go ice skating: No matter what the temperature, it's the perfect time to go ice skating. If you live where it is cold enough, you can skate on a natural body of water. If you live somewhere warm, head to an indoor rink for skating fun.
- Go to a holiday parade: Many cities and towns will host a holiday parade complete with floats and decorations. If it's cold outside, be sure to pack some hot cocoa and get there early to get a front-row seat.
- Decorate your stockings: Even if you have a nicely decorated stocking, it's always fun to add a personal touch. You can easily add custom stickers or decorative beads to really make it pop.
- Make homemade hot chocolate: Hot cocoa is always a good idea, especially on a cold, wintery day. Instead of pouring out a premade package, you can easily make your own. You can even customize it with unique flavors, sprinkles, and marshmallows.
