This Christmas traditions post was created in partnership with The Agency at Brown Books Publishing Group. I was not financially compensated for this post but did receive a sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!
When we are young, there’s no time quite like Christmas. Whether it’s the tradition of putting out decorations or opening up the presents, the level of joy one experiences is merely inexplainable.
But as time passes by, things get a bit stale. Gifts stop being fascinating. Eggnog doesn’t taste that amazing anymore. Everything becomes rather monotonous.
However, there are family traditions you can practice to stop this Christmas from being a rerun of the last one.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
Read Christmas Books Every Day
Why not chose a Christmas book to read every night up until the big day? It's a great way to spend time as a family.
Books like Ted the Friendly Frog and Santa Frog are great choices. It's a cute rhyming story that shows how this time of year is more about family and love than presents.
Every parent wants their children to grow up caring about other people. And, Ted the Friendly Frog and Santa Frog showcases the importance of family traditions and being thankful for what you do have. Precisely the kind of concepts we want to instill into our children.
It's an adorable story that your children are sure to love!
Plus, if after reading this meaningful story, you're still craving more, there are two other books in the series that are just as good. They also teach a valuable lesson while still holding your child's attention.
Ted is a kind of a mentor if you will and will always help your child learn an important life lesson at the end of the day.
These books are winners for both parents and kids alike. Find them on Amazon today!
Explore Some Other Culture's Traditions
People of Japan pay a visit to KFC on the 25th of December. The Finns take a sauna bath on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, in Poland, people prepare a special meal.
There are plenty of other weird, funny, and fascinating holiday traditions practiced in countries around the world. You can pick one country, get your family in on the act, and have yourself a culturally-themed Christmas.
Have Your Kids Write a Letter to Santa
If you’re planning to get your kids the perfect gift, making them write a letter to Santa is the easiest way of getting their wish list.
Last year, I learned this exact way that my son wanted a pair of sneakers. I immediately got a discount code for that pair from ClothingRIC and gave him quite possibly the best present of his life.
Initiate a Search for Christmas Pickle
This is one of the oldies, but unfortunately, it’s been practiced less and less. It starts with someone hiding a pickle in a Christmas tree and others searching it for a reward.
If there’s no pickle at your disposal, you can hide a red ball (Rudolph’s nose) too. You can hide just about anything.
The point is to get the whole family involved in a fun activity.
Next Year’s Prediction Box
For this one, sit down your family on Christmas and have them write predictions about what will happens in the lives of everyone at home. Now put all these predictions in a box.
On next year’s holidays, open the box and have someone read them out loud. It will be funny to see who got it right.
Support a Foster Child
There’s something extremely appropriate about helping foster children at Christmas. After all, this holiday is all about being kind and caring for folks who are less fortunate.
Even small gestures of kindness like buying someone a Christmas tree or a present is an excellent way to revive the Christmas spirit.
Drop Gifts for a Memorable Vacations
Yes. Presents are a big part of the whole Christmas deal. But think about this-skipping gifts can help you save a tremendous amount of money. Moreover, most of the stuff you get for your kids ends up collecting dust anyways.
So maybe it’s wise to trade physical items for an experience. Take your family to Disneyland or fly to a tourist spot. Sites like EMUCoupon can even give you a discount on the flight.
In any case, create amazing memories, and they’ll last longer than any toy or device.
Get Creative With the Christmas Dinner
Turkey, ham, goose these are generally the main course meals for Christmas. However, if you’re looking to spice things up this year (both literally and figuratively), why not ditch the usual menu for something from another country?
Try Lithuania’s Kūčios, Italy’s Panettone or France’s Bûche de Noël or any other treat from across the borders.
Coin in the Pudding Tradition
Put a coin in the Christmas pudding. And see who gets it on their plate.
Just make sure to avoid any choking hazards. It’s very much like the Christmas pickle – a small but fun tradition.
Watch Terrible Movies
How about instead of the classics like Home Alone, Love Actually and Die Hard, the whole family sits down and watches absolutely terrible movies.
I’m talking about movies like Battlefield Earth and The Room. Or anything so bad it’s actually good. It will make for a fun time. Happy holidays!
My favorite was the one we did this past winter. The whole family all 16 of us went to a ski resort. Yes it was only Wisconsin but it was the happiest most joyful time with my family
Going on a family ski trip sounds amazing
My favorite holiday tration is going to my brothers home on Christmas Eve. When the kids were little we would spend the night and watch them open their santa presents.
That sounds like a wonderful Christmas memory
My kids are all grown and on their own. We now have our christmas dinner on christmas eve and open gifts. That frees them up to visit the inlaws on christmas and I get to relax.
My dad’s side of the family has always done Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day too
My family tradition is to wake up on Christmas morning and fix waffles. I serve them with fresh berries. Also, I serve homemade eggnog later in the day.
Christmas morning waffles sound amazing
My favorite traditions are making lasagna for dinner for Christmas Eve. Along with one gift the kids are allowed to open on Christmas Eve. Also, I make a breakfast casserole for us to enjoy Christmas morning.
Lasagna on Christmas Eve is a new one but sounds so tasty
The only traditions we really have are definitely always driving around to see lights. And my kids always open their gifts on Christmas Eve morning while family gathers and we enjoy breakfast together.
Seeing all the Christmas lights is always fun
Not a lot of christmas trations we all spend christmas eve at my brothers home. We eat, laugh and tell stories on each other
That sounds a lot like our Christmas Eve
What fun traditions, I love the watching terrible movies one. I also like reading books. We drive around and look at light displays every year.
Checking out all the festive Christmas light is a great tradition
We do some of these . I may try some of rge others like the pickle and the different cultures.
Trying Christmas traditions from other cultures would be a great change
I like to go look at light displays around our neighborhood, I also love making cookies for my friends and loved ones.
Holiday baking is always a winner
I’ve never understood the whole pickle thing, but we’ve got the movies down! Pretty much all we watch in December, lol.
It’s always fun to watch movies with the family
Awesome article learns a lot of things. Thanks
These are definitely unusual Christmas traditions, but that’s what I love about them! We do a lot of classics, but it is really special to have unique ones that you share with your family. Thank you so much for sharing this!
What are some classic Traditions you do?