Christmas Traditions: Part Two
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Are you looking for more Christmas traditions ideas to add to your holiday this December? Christmas traditions kids will love and Christmas traditions family will want to do again and again are so important! Check out these 5 family Christmas traditions to start and add new Christmas activity ideas to your family traditions!
Bake Cookies
I almost didn’t include baking cookies on this list. It seems so obvious. But there’s a difference between staying up late to get cookies done because you have to and making them a tradition. So here they are!
Sit down as a family/partnership/alone and decide which cookies are your favorites. Make a list of the ingredients needed, including butter and flour. Even though you usually have these things on hand, you’ll need quite a bit more than usual. I usually do this before Thanksgiving so I can spread the baking purchases out over the course of a few grocery visits but that’s unnecessary.
Bake your cookies early. Baking cookies seems so simple, we often put it off and put it off. Suddenly it’s 3 PM on Christmas Eve and there’s nothing to put on the plate for Santa. I try to have my cookie baking done by the second weekend of Christmas.
I get everything done early for two reasons. The first is so I can enjoy the cookies longer and don’t end up with two dozen cookies after New Year that no one wants to eat. The second is to make cookie plates to bring to any event I might attend. This includes coffee with friends this time of year. Just bring cookie plates, wrapped up and decorated with ribbon, everywhere you go and you’ll never be empty-handed when someone hands you a gift again!
I always stick a small note on the plate indicating if the cookies have nuts or peanuts. While you don’t have to do this, your friends will appreciate the added gesture if they have an allergy!
Find a Tree Lighting
Find your local tree lightings early! They’re sometimes in the middle of the week or very early in the season. Attending a tree lighting is a festive way to get outside (usually), celebrate with your community, and is a great excuse for hot chocolate.
Some tree lightings are very short. Others have meet and greets with Santa, carol singing, free hot chocolate, parades…it really varies from place to place and year to year. If your town’s tree lighting is lackluster, do some research to find another nearby that fits what you’re looking for. Better yet, find out who’s in charge and volunteer to take over next year! (I’m only half kidding here but if you have the time, go for it!)
Christmas Movie Marathon
Every year the list of great Christmas movies grows longer and longer. Favorites vary from person to person, maybe you’re a Christmas Vacation family or you can quote Elf word for word. Pick your top 2 or 3 movies and make it a marathon!
Get comfy in the living room, bonus points for pillow forts! Make some hot chocolate, get your Christmas cookies and popcorn ready, and snuggle in. If you’re really feeling festive, have a no-phones rule during the movies. Put all the cell phones on the other side of the room and enjoy your movies together.
An alternative to a movie marathon is to spread your favorite movies out throughout the month. While there are certainly enough movies for you to watch one every night, you don’t have to do a full month of movies to get your fix. Scheduling one or two on the weekends will spread out the cheer and give you an excuse to get cozy even more often.
Have a Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is not only the perfect addition to any holiday or winter party, but to a cozy night at home. You can easily do this with just the things you have on hand, or you can head to the candy aisle and let your imagination run wild.
I find it fun to set up all of your toppings on the counter, even if it’s just for yourself. Settle in with a favorite Christmas movie or a good book and enjoy your hot chocolate. Simple yet wonderful.
Decorate Ugly Sweaters
Ugly Christmas sweaters are becoming almost fashionable at this point and that means they can get expensive. Start a new tradition of making your own!
Grab all of your leftover crafting supplies, some old sweaters, and glue, and spread everything out on the table. Turn on Christmas movies or music and get started!
Decorating the sweaters is only half the fun! If your group is competitive, vote for the ugliest sweater! Have an “ugly sweater dinner” later that evening. Take a hike or walk through the neighborhood wearing your sweaters. Nothing creates a better bond than something so completely silly!