The Importance of
Family Christmas Traditions
Creating Memories That Last
There’s something so magical about the Christmas season! As much as retailers want you to believe it comes from all the gifts on their shelves, I have a different theory. Christmas is about family. Looking back on all my past Christmases, it wasn’t the presents that stood out but the family Christmas traditions I enjoyed with the people I love.
While giving gifts might be a small part of what makes it special, the true wonder of the Christmas season is in spending time with family and creating memories that last.
I wanted to share with you guys why I think family Christmas traditions are so important as well as some of the fun Christmas traditions I’ve loved since childhood!
The Importance of Making Memories
When your little ones are all grown, it won’t be all the lego sets or baby dolls that keep them calling home or stopping by to visit. The relationships we build with our kids create lasting bonds that tie our hearts together.
[bctt tweet=”The relationships we build with our kids create lasting bonds that tie our hearts together.” username=”thisgrowinghome”]
Interacting and experiencing things with our little ones, especially during the holiday seasons, are part of how they learn values, character, and perspective.
Every adult has some feeling about Christmas, either good or bad. Those feelings are usually rooted in their childhood experiences. Creating memories that last through family Christmas traditions, helps build positive loving relationships between us and our little ones that will continue to affect them into adulthood.
It’s About Presence not Presents
While it may be tempting to think that your little ones happiness is more dependent on how expensive their Christmas presents were, rather than how much time you spent with them, nothing is farther from the truth.
Family Christmas traditions are more focused on presence than price tags. How often have your little ones been more entertained by the empty box rather than what came inside it?!
This year, instead of hunting down the fanciest most expensive toy on the market, jump inside the box with them and go on an adventure!
Here are some other fun Christmas traditions to do with your family this year.
Family Christmas Traditions We Enjoy
Macy’s Day Parade
Ok so I know this is technically on Thanksgiving, but my family spends every Thanksgiving morning waiting for Tom Turkey and Santa to roll across our tv! It’s our official start to the Christmas season and one of our favorite family Christmas traditions!
Real Tree
Some families might enjoy this one more than others depending on how well you handle cold weather. I would never describe myself as an outdoorsy person, but I’m trecking through the tree farm every year!
Finding the “perfect” tree, sipping hot chocolate, and snacking on sugar cookies will warm any heart! And makes a fun Christmas tradition that your little ones will remember forever.
You can go to a lot or a farm to find your tree. We have a local farm and love taking pictures in the same spot each year to see how the little ones grow!
Ornaments
There are so many ways to incorporate ornaments into your family Christmas traditions. As a child, my family would each pick out a special ornament at the tree farm after finding our tree. My husbands family would buy the same ornament for each of the kids.
I’ve also heard of families hanging an ornament per person every day up until Christmas. Another fun Christmas tradition would be to make ornaments with your little ones!
Christmas Village
Christmas villages were super popular when I was growing up! Each year I would look forward to getting a new village piece to add! It’s a great family Christmas tradition to watch grow each year.
If you’re worried about cost for this one, I’m always happening upon village houses in good condition at the thrift store! For more inexpensive Christmas decor inspiration check out my post Easy DIY Christmas Decorations.
Christmas Cookies
Mamas, I know this one comes with a mess. But, after making cookies with some great mamas (while I wrote this post), I will offer some of their advice to me, “You just have to do it!”
Even though it may mean a little more clean up, it’s totally worth all the memories made with this fun Christmas tradition!
You could even premake some sugar cookies and just have your little ones decorate them as a family Christmas tradition.
Christmas Movies
I’m definitely not saying to plop your littles down in front of a screen and walk away. But finding a few classic Christmas movies to watch together is a great family Christmas tradition for when you’re needing a calm night of cuddling!
You can pick up some of the old claymation classics like Rudolph or Little Drummer Boy. If you can’t talk your kiddos into these “ancient” films, there are some great live actions movies like my favorite, The Santa Clause.
Stockings
Like ornaments, there are so many options for these. You can open stockings the night before Christmas, or open them one gift at a time in an advent style.
In my family growing up, we loved trying to find the best or most unique trinkets for the stockings! We love opening them up and being surprised by the treasures inside.
The best stocking gift experience so far was a simple turkey baster!! It’s a story you had to be there for! But we remember it every year with lots of laughter.
Here’s a great DIY Stocking Hanger project!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Christmas is so special to me because of all the wonderful family Christmas traditions my parents did with me as a child. Every year I try to give the special gift of presence for my little ones too!
Hopefully, you’ll be inspired by even one of the fun Christmas traditions on my list to start with your family!
Do you have your own family Christmas traditions you do with your little ones? I would love to hear about them in the comments!
If you want to get more involved with the This Growing Home community and get to know more mamas, check out the social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter.
I hope you have a great Christmas filled with many happy memories!