6 Holiday Traditions To Start With Your Family This Year

When you think back to Christmases as a kid, what do you remember most? Many times, it’s not the gifts you received, rather it’s the fun or quirky holiday traditions your family did year after year. While you and your partner may already have some holiday traditions taken from what you each did as a child, there’s always room for new traditions that you start with your own kids.

Whether you are celebrating your baby’s first Christmas or want to give your kids a new tradition to start this year, here is our list of favourite traditions that make the holidays that much more memorable for growing families.

1. Open One Gift On Christmas Eve

Opening one gift from under the tree on Christmas Eve is a tradition that kids and parents will both enjoy. This gives kids a little preview of what’s to come in the morning, making them even more excited for the holiday. For parents, since children are typically restless the night before Christmas (and rightfully so), giving them one present each can keep them entertained while you do some last-minute Christmas Day preparations – it’s a win-win kind of tradition.

2. Capture Handprints

Handprint ornaments are something that you can cherish for a lifetime. This tradition is perfect for families with newborns, so you can capture the tiniest handprints and footprints and watch them grow as you create new ones each year.

Here’s how to make easy Salt Dough Ornaments:

1 cup salt

2 cups plain flour

1 cup water

Ribbon

Combine salt and flour, then add water a little at a time while mixing. Knead for about 5-10 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Roll out dough to 1.5cm thickness. Press handprints/footprints into the dough then cut a circle around the handprint. Poke a hole in the top for the ribbon and let the ornaments air dry for a day. Paint your ornament and wait for it to dry. Then seal it with a clear glaze, add the ribbon through the hole, and add it to the Christmas tree!

3. Write Letters To Santa

Writing letters to Santa is a classic family tradition for families with younger kids. Your kids can sit down and craft up their letters together, creating precious memories. Parents can also write a letter from Santa himself to leave in the house on Christmas Day. This tradition is not only fun but also helps children with their writing skills and gives you something to hold onto year after year.

4. Make Reindeer Food

Babies, toddlers, and kids alike will all love this next tradition – making magic reindeer food. Families each have their own spin on this tradition from handing out gift bags of reindeer food to friends at the end of the school year to leaving it in bowls in the backyard for Santa’s reindeer to eat while they’re stopped at your house.

Classic reindeer food is made up of two simple ingredients, rolled oats and red or green edible glitter, but you can also add coconut shreds, mini marshmallows, or sultanas for a yummy snack.

5. Buy Christmas Pyjamas

Whether matching or not, buying Christmas pyjamas for the whole family is a tradition that can start from a baby’s first Christmas and last even into the teenage or adult years. This can also be combined with the opening one Christmas present on Christmas Eve tradition with the presents being the new sets of PJ’s. This creates adorable family photo opportunities and a way for the whole family to bond.

6. Give Back

The holidays are always a great time to teach your kids the importance of giving back. These are just a few ideas for how you can make making a difference a cherished family holiday tradition:

  • Round up old toys and clothes a few days after Christmas and donate them
  • Volunteer with a charitable organisation around Christmas time (make sure to check volunteer age restrictions)
  • Gift your kids a symbolic adoption of an endangered animal
  • Buy dog and cat food/toys and donate to your local animal shelter

Traditions are a great way to add a bit more magic into the holidays for your family. With these ideas, we hope we can help guide you in adopting traditions that will last as your kids grow!

Tags: Parent's Corner