Everyone has favorite ways they love to celebrate the holiday season. We call them traditions and we all have different ones.
Some we do just for holiday fun. Be it for a single season or a few, they fit our life and/or family at the time so we enjoy celebrating that way.
Others we cling to like they’re a part of us.
Either way, there are times to find new and different ways to celebrate your holiday season.
It may be because we’ve gotten tired of the old, the kids have moved out, or a loved one has passed.
Something has changed that requires us to change with it.
Change can be hard so let me help make it easier.
Here are 15 new and different ideas to celebrate your holiday season.
WHITE ELEPHANT EXCHANGE
This can be done in various ways. Wrap up something small and useful, something small and funny, or something you make or already own. The focus is on fun.
One family I know has one funny gift they pass back and forth each year — wrapping it creatively so no one knows.
COOKIE BAKING TOGETHER
Do this with family, friends, neighbors, your kids and/or grandkids…
It could be at the same home each year or rotate homes with who participates.
With this, you can get more variations of cookies.
SECRET SANTA FOR A NEIGHBOR IN NEED
Food, toys, clothes, or gift cards are good. The better you know them the more personal you could make your gift choices.
You could leave it on their porch or have someone they don’t know deliver it for you.
MATCHING PAJAMAS
You can do this with your kids, all the cousins, your siblings, your spouse, parent/child, or however you like.
This can be a great bonding experience. My daughter did this with me for a few years as I was going through empty nest. Now my grandkids do it. Last year their pj’s said Cousin Crew.
It’s a great way to build memories. Plus you get a new pair of jams every year.
ADVENT CANDLES
Light one each night, read a part of the Christmas story and sing a Christmas carol or two.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Drive around your area to enjoy the Christmas lights. Some people do elaborate ones with music making it a show. Some towns have tree lighting ceremonies.
CELEBRATE CULINARY HISTORY OR DIVERSITY
Find old recipes from generations before you, or from different countries than you’re from, and cook or bake up something new.
Repeat them every year if you like them or try a new thing each year. I used to make a raspberry pastry from Russia every year — Aleksander Torte.
THE GIFT OF READING
Wrap up books for your children. Have them open one each day and then sit together and read.
My daughter has done this for many years putting them in a special advent box. The kids love it.
CELEBRATE ADVENT
There are many tools available for this. Calendars, devotionals and simplified readings of the Christmas story.
One I used when my children were small began with Long ago in the city of Nazareth there lived a young woman named Mary.
When my son went away to college I texted it to him each day. Now he’s married with kids and has used that same advent reading with his family.
ANNUAL ORNAMENT
Purchase a new ornament every year for your kids and give it to them on Christmas Eve.
When they grow up they’ll have many to adore their own tree, complete with wonderful memories.
CHURCH
Many churches have special services during the month of December and especially on Christmas Eve.
They often put on special plays or shows also.
CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Watch a favorite Christmas movie together. Either the same one each year or make it so you never repeat the same one. These can add some much-needed laughter and/or emotional encouragement.
I asked on my Facebook page What is a Christmas movie you watch every year no matter what? Here are some of the responses for you to choose from (or add to in the comments below)
- It’s A Wonderful Life
- White Christmas
- Die Hard
- Scrooged (a favorite of mine)
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- One Magic Christmas
- Elf (another favorite of mine)
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Kids love doing these. Kits are available if you’re not into baking the gingerbread yourself, or some have used graham crackers. Either way, they’re a lot of fun to make and then eat.
NATIVITY FUN
Count how many pieces are in your nativity set and start setting it up that many days before Christmas, one piece at a time. Or set up your nativity and don’t put the baby Jesus in it until Christmas morning.
Once the whole scene is set up, tell the Christmas story.
FOOD TRADITIONS
We do a Christmas brunch. A friend of mine has a family fondue on Christmas Eve. Another friend goes to a Chinese restaurant for lunch on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts with the whole family.
The traditions we love are the ones that are fun. They foster the togetherness we seek at this time of year.
The traditions we love are the ones that are fun. They foster the togetherness we seek at this time of year. Click To Tweet
WHAT NOW:
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- Which of these do you like?
- Do you have one you’d like to share with me? I’d love to know.
- Feel the love this season
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You Matter!
DARE to BELIEVE it!
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Thanks for sharing the creative suggestions for celebrating the holidays.
You’re welcome, Mary.
I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Thanks for reading and commenting.