Christmas Traditions We Love
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December and CHRISTMAS TIME IS FINALLY HERE!
I feel a little late in proclaiming this but our family is currently in the process of doing all the Christmas things. Last night we began chatting about ALL of the Christmas traditions that we have accumulated over the years and I thought it would be fun to share them with you! So whether you are just starting a family, would love to add some new holiday traditions, or need a way to get into the Christmas spirit, here are some of our faves!
Decorations & Lights
Candy Canes on the Christmas Tree
When the hubby and I were just newly married, we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating our Christmas tree. So with the small number of ornaments that we did have, the tree looked pretty bare and sparse. How did we fix that? By buying a bunch of candy canes in different flavors to fill in the empty spaces!
Years later, we have a lot more decorations and ornaments to make our tree look much fuller, but I still will purchase 2 to 3 boxes of different flavors of candy canes for the kiddos to place on our tree to carry on the tradition.
New Ornaments
A lot can happen in a year’s time!
So to honor what made the past year so special, each person in our family receives a new ornament as a gift on Christmas morning that pays homage to what made the past year amazing for them. It can be a new hobby, craft, or sport that they tried or it could be from a special trip we took as a family. The possibilities are endless and we love pulling them out each year and reminiscing while we decorate our Christmas tree.
Searching for the Prettiest Light Displays
One of the things we like to scope out when we move to a new city is where the “must-see” Christmas light displays are. In the past, we have found the most charming lights and decorations at amusement parks, botanical gardens, zoos, quaint neighborhoods, and parks.
The kids especially love the experience of driving through light displays from the warmth and comfort of our car.
Want to level up this experience?
Make the drive memorable by bringing a tin filled with snacks, some hot cocoa in a thermos, blankets to snuggle in, 3-D Christmas light glasses, and festive light-up necklaces for everyone to wear. And don’t forget to turn on that Christmas music on the radio!
Bring the Holiday Spirit
Chocolate Advent Calendars
The tradition of the chocolate advent calendar actually goes as far back as my childhood years spent in Germany. So naturally when I started my own family, I wanted to carry on this fun way of counting down the days until Christmas.
Nowadays you can find advent calendars to suit pretty much anyone in your family! From wine to legos to cosmetics to festive socks, it is easy to find a countdown that will bring joy to your loved ones this holiday season.
Watch all the Harry Potter Movies
Most families have their favorite Christmas movies that they love to watch every year. For us, we absolutely LOVE watching all the Harry Potter movies before Christmas day. I know it sounds kind of weird but it’s definitely something we look forward to each year.
Wanna take it up a notch? How about looking up Harry Potter-themed recipes that correspond and represent key features to the particular movie you will watch that night.
Curious to know what our other favorite holiday movies are? Here are our personal favorites:
Christian:
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Jadyn:
Home Alone
Memphis:
The Polar Express
Angeline:
While You Were Sleeping
The Hubby:
A Christmas Story
Family Faves:
The Year Without a Santa Claus, Klaus, Rise of the Guardians, The Grinch, & The Santa Clause
Wearing Matching Pajamas on Christmas Eve
This tradition is a fairly new one but I can’t help but love it every year! Getting new pj’s as a Christmas gift has always been a tradition but to take it a step further and make sure they are all MATCHING just brings a smile to my face. Not to mention it makes the cutest family picture on Christmas morning! I am pretty much betting my money that this tradition will not be going anywhere soon!
Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus
Every year, before a single present is opened on Christmas morning, we will gather in front of the tree and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. It is such a wonderful way to pause and remember why we are celebrating this holiday and what the TRUE spirit of Christmas is all about. And who doesn’t love cake for breakfast, right?
Homemade Love
Making Graham Cracker Houses
Have fun with this twist on the traditional gingerbread houses!
We use graham crackers and royal icing to create these cute little holiday homes. The kiddos love making their own and decorating them with old Halloween candy that we save up.
How about adding some friendly competition? When everyone is done decorating, take pictures, post on your social media, and have your friends and family vote on their favorite. The winner gets to open the first gift on Christmas morning!
Baking Favorite Holiday Cookies
Baking has always been my love language! So each year, every family member (even my oldest son who lives in TX) gets his or her favorite cookies made (or in Memphis’ case, bought). Wonder what each person’s favorite cookies are? Check it out!
The Hubby: Giant Ginger Cookies
Christian: Cappuccino Crinkles
Jadyn: Peanut Butter Blossoms
Memphis: German Spiced Cookies (Spekulatius)
Me: Chai Iced Cookies & Chewy Cherry-Almond Bars
Christmas Crafts
Now here is a tradition that should not come to a surprise to any of you!
Any holiday tradition that involves my kiddos exercising their creativity will be an automatic winner in my book. From holiday crafting kits to painting ornaments to making homemade snow globes, Christmas crafting time is always a huge hit in the Peterman house. Get your kids involved and have each one choose a craft that everyone will participate in!
Give Back
Basket of Snacks for Delivery Drivers
Are you ready to get into that “giving spirit” quickly?
This sweet idea from my good friend, Lauren at The Thinking Closet, is a pretty new one for our family, but it’s one that is guaranteed to bring all the warm feelings of taking care of your fellow man. Delivery drivers and postal workers have worked tirelessly through countless holiday seasons and leaving them a basket of treats is the best way to say “Thank you for all you do!”
Our basket included a few juice boxes, some flavored sparkling seltzer, and healthy snacks and trail mixes. I also leave a bottle of hand sanitizer for them to clean their hands before they snack away. You can print off the sign to add with your basket here on Lauren’s blog post. Don’t forget to add a handwritten note and tape it to your mailbox so your USPS carriers are able to grab a snack, too!
Honorable Mentions
As long as the hubby is home, he is always the one to put the angel on top of our Christmas tree.
Reading a chapter a day from the book of Luke in the Bible
Open one gift on Christmas Eve
Christmas Breakfast to include Quiche, Orange Rolls, & Polar Express Hot Chocolate
Making Pancit & Lumpia for Christmas Lunch/Dinner
Listen to Brenda Lee Christmas CD as we open our Christmas Presents
Spending New Year’s Eve at a fun hotel with the kids
Tell me what you think!
Do you have any favorites holiday traditions to add to the list? Comment below!
And if you’d like to shop any of our Christmas Favorites, be sure to check out our Amazon Shop.
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