What’s not to love about Christmas? The festive period is so jolly and uplifting, with seeing family, eating all the food, decorating the tree, singing the songs, watching the films… I could go on and on. But one thing in particular that is more important to me this year than ever before is that there are so many great traditions that we can all take part in, and creating our own twist on the traditional ones as a family will be so special!
I’ve watched families do their Christmas traditions every year, and have always felt that lovely vibe when seeing them wear Christmas pyjamas together sat under the tree on Christmas Eve, or going to see the lights together, or making Christmas Eve boxes. It’s all about the cosy little cute memories, right?
The below is a round up of adorable and unique Christmas traditions that I feel would be fabulous to start with your family for 2021, if you haven’t done so before. I already feel so merry and fizzy and warm thinking about getting going!
1. Matching family pyjamas
This one has stormed forward in recent years: finding matching family pyjamas. What a classic that is, which is now hear to stay. Not only is it enjoyable for the little ones, it’s also fun for teens, young adults and the grown ups! So many retailers sell them now so you won’t struggle to find them. You can either leave the PJs under the tree on Christmas Eve and let the kids unwrap them just before they go to bed, or you can have a tradition where you all start wearing them a week before Christmas (I’m edging towards this one to get my monies worth!).
2. Christmas Movie Marathon
As a family, do you have a couple of films you all love? Ideally one each that is beloved to each member of your family? If so, why not line up the movies back to back, and the night before Christmas Eve, watch them back to back with mince pies and hot chocolates – or a Christmas tipple for the grown ups! You can also bring in the PJ idea above, too!
3. Reverse Advent Calendar
Everyone loves advent calendars, but have you tried making a reverse advent calendar with your children? This one is such a lovely mission. Basically, instead of opening up a calendar and getting something every day, with the reverse advent, they have to put something in instead.
You can do it with items of food that is wrapped up and sealed, or clothing or products. They can then be taken to a food bank or to a favourite local charity, and donated to help those less fortunate that are struggling at Christmas time.
4. Christmas Themed Breakfast
Welcome the Christmas season with a large festive bang – a Christmas themed breakfast with all the trimmings! Perhaps it could be something your family does on the 1st December to embrace the festive month. Or it could be something to do a week before the big day. A great time is the morning after kids break up from school for Christmas.
The main idea is to give everything an over-the-top Christmas theme, from the food, to the decor, to the drinks! Think of the North Pole and take inspiration from Christmas films too.
5. Christmas Eve Boxes
This is always a great ones for kids, but adults can enjoy getting involved with this and watching everyone’s happy faces on Christmas Eve! Treat your little ones to an extra gift at Christmas, by allowing them to open up a special box especially for the 24th of December, filled with Christmas themed gifts. The idea behind having this tradition is that those extra themed presents will get them even more excited for Christmas Day. It could be things with things like an extra tree bauble for the tree, snuggly festive socks or a Christmas film to put on!
6. Have a Light Switch On
Why not make it a tradition to have your own Christmas light switch on – in your home? Nothing looks more magical and merry than pretty fairy lights adorned around the home. This can be on the tree of course, but then there are beautiful light displays you can place around the home, or even feature in your front garden. By lacing your home with pretty Christmas lights, you can really let Christmas begin! Let the kids have a later night than usual, pop on the cosy bed wear, have a hot choc and have an official light switch on!
7. Leaving food out for Santa (and his friends!)
Now this one is an oldie, but one I’ve never done before. The traditional leaving mince pies and a glass of milk out for Santa is so lovely to do as a family – especially when it goes ‘missing’ and the kids see it the next day! You could even leave a tipple out for Santa, that you can enjoy as your Christmas Eve treat to yourself! Who knew Santa’s elves love Baileys? Think a plate of mince pies, carrot, milk and a cheeky tipple…
8. Making Homemade cards
There’s no Christmas card that is more special than a homemade Christmas card, but the fact it can become a project that the whole family can get involved in makes it a great tradition to start. Gather together, set out some card, stencils, glitter, coloured paper and stickers, and have a fun filled crafty afternoon! You can start by walking to the neighbours with the kids and posting them yourself, before enveloping them up and sending to family.
9. Bake Gingerbread
Another crafty one is to get your bake on! Why not set up a baking afternoon, complete with a decoration station and either make a gingerbread house or gingerbread angels! You can buy baking kits really cheaply, and make your own gingerbread from the many online recipes out there. The kids will love being busy and creative with plenty of icing tubes, sweets and sprinkles to hand. A gingerbread house could potentially be the most fun, but it could be a challenge too!
10. Family photoshoot
And last but not least, the one that might seem a little cringe to some, why not think about having a family photo on the same day each year? You could have a good old self timer photo of the group of you, and use it for social media, or even Christmas cards. Or even just for the memories! You can make it all serious and ‘professional’ looking, or you can make it a silly one. It’s up to you – all for the fun of it.
Have we missed off any good ones? Let us know in the comments!
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