Make room for intentional family time and create memories that last this Christmas season

Sometimes it can be hard to know which traditions to embrace as a family during the Christmas season that will be simple and memorable … and will be a tradition you will want to revisit year after year! I’ve compiled a list of 15 fun ideas that will help you to create new memories over the Christmas season with your kids! Maybe you already do some of these traditions in your home or maybe just one will stand out as a “must try” this season, but remember to keep things simple so that your traditions don’t become burdensome or overwhelming! 

1.CHRISTMAS TREE SET UP PARTY 

Growing up, we knew that on the first Sunday in December, it was Christmas tree set up day! We would crank our favourite Christmas tunes, get out the treasured ornaments and go to town decorating; laughing over all of our funny DIY crafts that would go on the tree each year. And, of course my sisters and I would eat way too many Christmas oranges and Pot of Gold chocolates. This tradition has carried on in our home to this day and our girls look forward to it each year!

  • Consider creating a “theme” for your tree, such as snowmen, angels or just a collection of ornaments that bring you joy!
  • Add stringed popcorn or dried fruit for some DIY fun
  • Be sure to have lots of chocolate, nuts and festive drinks on hand
  • Invite family over for the festivities or keep it simple and sweet with your immediate loved ones & end the festivities with a holiday movie by the twinkling lights of the tree

2. GO SHOPPING FOR TOYS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Every year we talk to our girls about how blessed we are to have our home, nice clothes and gifts under the tree each year at Christmas time. We then let them know that not all children around the world, and even in our city have the same luxuries as us. We like to encourage them to think outside of their day to day and extend good will toward others who are less fortunate.

Take your children to your local Dollar Store (great for finding items to fill those shoe boxes) or to a toy store of choice and ask them to pick out an item or two that they would love to have. Purchase it, then drop it off together at your charity of choice to send away to someone in need! It is such a great hands-on lesson to teach your little ones about the spirit of giving. 

Some of our favourite ways of giving are through:

3. GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING

When I was a little girl, my Oma would have us over to her little apartment and she would bake the most delicious gingerbread … and then my sister and I would have a blast putting the pieces together to form a house, covering it with way too much icing and German gummy bears & smarties. I can still remember the smell of her kitchen today!    

  • If you are an expert baker like my Oma was, then go ahead and bake that gingerbread from scratch. But, if the thought of baking a house intimidates you, you can buy PRE-ASSEMBLED Gingerbread Houses at Costco or your local grocery store for a steal of a deal!
  • Another fun and easy tip is to buy some graham crackers and use a small individual milk carton that you have cleaned out to build a house!
  • Head over to Bulk Barn with your kiddos and have them pick out some extra treats and a few coloured packages of icing to decorate with.
  • Decorate to your heart’s content and don’t even try to limit the sugar intake that is about to ensue!

4. HOT CHOCOLATE & CHRISTMAS STORIES BY THE TREE

I love this tradition because it is SO SIMPLE and the kids love it! I mean like almost the level of Christmas morning excitement love it!

  • Simply, make a batch of hot chocolate, add some marshmallows & turn down the lights
  • Then put on the fireplace and read 1 or 10 Christmas stories by the tree
  • Take turns reading and enjoy all of those classic stories about love, joy and peace! 

5. BAKE & DECORATE COOKIES TOGETHER

I don’t know about your kiddos, but mine LOVE to be in the kitchen. Whenever my girls and I bake together I hear about it for days afterward! It is such a fun quality time activity to do at this time of year! And, what our little ones always prefer is our time over any gift or experience we could give them!

  • Our favourite choice of cookie to bake at this time of year are gingerbread cookies. They are pretty simple to make, delicious & fun to decorate; especially when you use a cookie cutter in the shape of little gingerbread man or woman!  I found a delicious and easy gingerbread recipe HERE.
  • Consider continuing the spirit of giving by packaging up some of the cookies and delivering them to a few special people: your neighbours, your child’s teacher, or to Grandma & Grandpa. 

6. WRAP CHRISTMAS BOOKS AND PUT THEM IN A BASKET UNDER THE TREE

This is such a sweet tradition that was recommended to me by a friend! Before December hits, wrap 24 Christmas themed books and put them in a basket under the tree. Have your children take turns choosing a book to unwrap each night at bedtime (or on the days you choose) and then read it by the tree for their bedtime story! 

A few money saving tips:

  • You can re-use books you have
  • Take books out from the library (just remember to renew!)
  • Purchase second hand to save money
  • Buy books through your child’s Scholastic program in October or November or even do a book swap with friends
  • You could even opt for 1 book per week … every Sunday for example, or even just do this the week leading up to Christmas

7. WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE WEARING CHRISTMAS PJ’S! 

Here’s another simple tradition I love! We already do “movie night” as a family on Friday’s throughout the year and so we are just slightly switching things up for the Christmas season. On Christmas Eve, gift the whole family with a set of new Christmas PJ’s (matching is always fun!) and watch a classic Christmas movie together. 

  • During the month of December, take turns (perhaps one family member per week) choosing your favourite Christmas movie
  • Put on your cozy Christmas pyjamas
  • Grab some popcorn (or those cookies you and the kids baked) and get into a festive mood while you enjoy the show! 

Some of our favourite movies at this time of year are: 

Elf, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, Meet me in St. Louis, Polar Express, Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street. Find many more ideas HERE. 

8. MAKE OR BUY A NEW CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FOR THE TREE

Head to a local craft show with your kiddo’s and have them choose a new, special ornament each year. Or, consider taking part in a festive ornament making program in your city. Some of the local greenhouses offer wonderful workshops for kids to create a keepsake ornament. And, I’m pretty sure it won’t end up looking like the awkward turkey that I made out of a pine cone and a tracing of my hand in grade 1! 

Here are a few ideas in Edmonton and area: 

9. CHOOSE 1 NIGHT PER WEEK FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT

Kids love game nights! Once again, it’s all about the quality time. We like to set up our game by the tree and always have a good chat about being a good sport beforehand … because 5 year olds.  This is a fun & easy option to bring the whole family together during the Christmas season. 

Some fun game suggestions for families with little ones: 

10. DECIDE ON AN ACT OF KINDNESS (OR 2 OR 3!) AS A FAMILY

I love this tradition so much… yes, it pushes us out of our comfort zone, but it also spreads love in such a tangible way. Remember, there isn’t always going to be “someone else” who will do what you are thinking, you are THE person! Embrace love and kindness this Christmas season and try to continue it into the new year!

Here’s a few ideas for family friendly acts of kindness:

  • Shovel an elderly person’s walkway
  • Bake cookies for your local police station or fire hall
  • Make Christmas cards and deliver them to a local nursing home
  • Go shopping at your grocery store and deliver the food to your local food bank
  • Volunteer as a family at a soup kitchen

11. BUNDLE UP AND ADMIRE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AS A FAMIY AND THEN WARM UP WITH A HOT DRINK AND COOKIE AFTER!

This is another simple yet favourite tradition in our home! We happen to live by our own version of “candy cane lane” where almost every home goes all out with their Christmas decor! We bundle up and walk our  neighbourhood, enjoy each other’s company and even have a little family vote at the end on which home was our favourite!

These are some great ideas in the city and surrounding area:

12. MAKE A “GRATITUDE CHAIN”

Sit down one evening and cut out strips of red and green paper (or a combination of any colours you prefer). Each night leading up to Christmas, have each person in the family write what they are grateful for on a strip of paper and add it to the paper chain. Do this activity all month long or even just the week leading up to Christmas! Read your gratitudes on Christmas morning. 

13. TAKE IN A CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Every year, my family makes it a priority to come together on Christmas Eve at a local church service. It is such a precious time to focus on the reason for the season… the birth of Jesus! and be filled with gratitude and perspective before the festivities begin!

Friends, I know that Christmas time is not always a “happy time”; you may be suffering through a loss, marital problems, health concerns, difficult family dynamics, or financial burdens to name a few things. But what I know for sure is that the message of Christmas is simple. God cares deeply for you and wants to give you fresh perspective on your situation. The story of Jesus’ birth is not just a story, it is a profound truth that can transform your life! Perhaps showing up at a Christmas Eve service will help you find exactly what you are longing for in this season! 

Here is an amazing online church that will offer a family friendly Christmas Eve Service: 

Hope City Church

14. CHRISTMAS MORNING BRUNCH

One of the things my little family looks forward to most, is having Christmas morning all to ourselves! We open stockings upstairs and then the girls rush downstairs excitedly (well behind their mama who needs to get her yearly video) to find presents under the tree.

  • We take our time, hair messy and pyjamas still on, to open each gift.
  • We take lots of pictures. There is no rush!
  • Then after the excitement of gift giving is done we slowly make a nice big breakfast … always french toast (find my favourite recipe HERE), maple syrup, whipping cream and lots of fresh fruit, hash browns and eggs. 

15. SIMPLIFY GIFT GIVING

Let’s not get carried away! Christmas can be a time of stress when we put so much pressure on ourselves to make it “perfect” and to “purchase all of the things” … debt is no fun! Stress takes away from the magic and the spirit of the season!

Here’s a few easy ways that you can simplify gift giving at Christmas: 

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Well there you have it, 15 fun & memorable Christmas traditions to start this year! Remember, this season is not about “doing all the things” & “buying all the things” but rather taking a step back from the hustle and bustle to spend time with loved ones, give back to the community and enjoy simple treasured traditions that will last a lifetime! 

Do you have any simple family traditions that fill your heart and home with joy during the Christmas season? I’d love to hear about them, please share in the comments section below!