Hey friends, I hope you’re having a fab weekend! Are you ready for Christmas? With 5 days to go, this is commonly about the time that I’m frantically trying to finish my Christmas shopping and still trying to figure out what to get my {very hard to buy for} Dad (if you need inspiration for the guy’s on your list check out the list here!). This year I’m trying hard to remind myself when the panic sets in that Christmas isn’t really about shopping and crowd fighting and finding the perfect gifts… it’s about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and spending cherished time with family and friends and making precious memories.
Part of what I love the most about the holidays are the rich Christmas traditions. There are so many symbols that trigger such special memories of times through my whole life. Every year I unpack the ornaments and come across the ornaments that my parents made out of salt dough when I was a baby because they couldn’t afford to buy any, I’m filled with warmth and gratitude for all that they did for me and for our family. When I unpack my Precious Moments angel figurine I’m reminded of my unconditionally loving, so missed Grandma who helped to instill faith in me all the way through her last day on this earth. I could fill a whole blog post on all of the special treasures that help make the holidays such a wonderful time, but today I want to focus on those Christmas traditions that help to form new memories each year.
Traditions are like that old Girl Scouts song (the only one I remember!) that says “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold”. As life changes and evolves, it’s important to make new traditions as well with those that have become a part of your life so that you can reflect each year on traditions that you share, in addition to the ones that you carry on yourself.
Here are some ideas for Christmas traditions that I hope you enjoy!
1. Read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
This old pic is my Grandfather reading all of us grandkids this classic tale. Have you ever seen a group of kids so attentive? It’s a good thing that was documented because I don’t know how long that lasted. Also have you ever seen so many bowl cuts in one room?! I’m the one on Grandpa’s right, in the bowl cut grow-out phase. 🙂
2. Go out to Dinner
My mom and I did this for many years. We would go out for Chinese food every Christmas evening. It was just the 2 of us during that time so it didn’t make sense to spend so much time cooking a big meal.
3. Ring and Run!
Not in the prank way, in the giving way! Get the adrenaline pumping with the fun of ringing and running to deliver neighbor gifts. I love this adorable idea from Brooke at All Things Thrifty; I’m a sucker for a pun. She comes up with such creative ideas!
4. Watch a Christmas Movie
Do you remember from my banana chocolate chip muffins post (here) how many times on average we watch A Christmas Story every year? 😉
5. Bake Cookies
My dad and Debbie (his girlfriend) make DOZENS of cookies for loved ones and for their church ministries every year. Everyone enjoys some Christmas cookies, right?!
6. Have the Kids Pick out a Few Toys for Needy Children
More than likely, there’s a whole new batch that arrived from Santa Christmas morning. Having them pick a few toys to donate to kids less fortunate than them really helps to instill empathy and gratitude at an early age… such important values!
7. Make Homemade Ornaments
As I said before, it’s so fun to unpack ornaments with special meaning each year. Homemade ornaments are a great way to reflect back on the year they were made and the fun that was had making them.
8. Play Games
This is a great activity for the whole family! Play.Party.Pin has a great round up of fun games to play on Christmas here.
9. Start Circulating a Giving Plate
I love the idea of the Giving Plate! You can send this home with someone filled with leftovers, and the love is paid forward without end.
10. Share New Year’s Resolutions
Whether you already have some in mind or if it’s a brainstorming session, it can be a great bonding experience to share your goals and hopes for the coming year with those you love.
What Christmas traditions do you most treasure? Do you plan on starting any new ones this year? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Nicole Q-Schmitz says
I’ve never heard of a ring and run for gifts before – such a good idea!
Lydia says
It’s so fun Nicole! Nothing like a little bold of adrenaline at holiday time. 😉
Chris says
So many great memories of you growing up fun seeing you share with others. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and hoping all of you can enjoy your traditions with family and friends.
Jeanette Miller says
This is awesome. Thanks for bringing it back to what’s important and sharing these ideas.
Sammy says
I will be starting the ‘ring and run’ tradition you mentioned. That’s a super idea! When I was younger we would ring and run after smashing their pumpkins but I’m reformed so giving is a much better idea after ringing the doorbell.
Graci says
Great way to shed some karma Sammy! LOL
Whitney says
It is so much fun to reflect on memories! Thanks.