Xmas Traditions

[EmLouiseCanada]

Hi all,

This might seem a bit random, but I had my first baby this year and I'm really wanting to start some Xmas traditions. I know that she won't remember it but I'd love to have some pictures to go back on to say I'd started these traditions when she was born.

I've already thought of ideas such as baking cookies on Xmas eve to put out for Santa, a new PJ set every Xmas eve, a family picture Xmas card to send around and possibly a personalised/personal bauble for her to open every Xmas day.

I was just wondering if anyone else had an Xmas traditions they have, and what are they? Really trying to think up some new ones.

Thank you ☺️

Book advent calendar (pack away and re-wrap every year)
Bake gingerbread in Xmas shapes for neighbours
Decorate gingerbread house
Xmas Eve box (PJs, cheap activities and snacks)
Reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve
Watching The Polar Express while drinking hot chocolate
Decorating the tree together, to Christmas music
Leaving food/drink for Santa and Rudolph
Making Christmas cards for grandparents

We go to the pantomime every year with DH's family. Around 10 of us go and meet for dinner beforehand. Obviously this year will be the first time we won't be doing that.

We also go out for a drive and look at all of the xmas lights on the houses locally to us.

Both my DC also have a mini xmas tree each for their bedrooms that they can decorate however they want. I let them pick a new decoration each for the main tree each year too.

Other than that it's the usual - xmas Eve box, xmas pjs, advent calendars, elf on the shelf, visit Santa etc

We go out together and choose one new ornament every year to get the Christmas season started. Overnight before December 1st, I put a Christmas cover and cushions* on DD's bed and she wakes up under the festive bedding to find her advent calender in her room and her little room tree with its box of decorations waiting for her to dress it. We have a refillable wooden calendar that has different surprises in each year and then a traditional cardboard 'family' one downstairs at the breakfast table.

Later in the month we go to our local Christingle service and take a walk around our village to see the lights afterwards. Try to deliver as many cards and surprise pressies by hand as poss (this year might be trickier) and do activities like baking and wreath decorating so our home smells as Christmassy as it looks. Christmas films are a big part of our December too. Trashy TV movies at first and then the proper films like The Shop Around the Corner, Scrooged, Elf, Muppet Christmas Carol etc. when the big day gets closer.

After the crib service on Christmas Eve her new PJs and slippers will be waiting on the doorstep with a bath bomb, our old copy of The Night Before Christmas to read at bedtime and the same Miracle on 34th Street DVD that we watch every year. Maybe a hot choc sachet too. Before bed we put her list in the fireplace and leave out a plate that she painted when she was tiny with a carrot, mince pie and milk on it and she always has her stocking on her bed so she can feel the weight of it when Father Christmas has been and get excited to come and wake us.

Honestly though a lot of the things we do have evolved over time as a result of things DD has remembered or really enjoyed in previous years. You'll find that you slowly create your own traditions from things from your childhoods and new twists you add now you have a child of your own. It's a really special bond to have as a family when you find 'your' happy Christmas and get to look forward to it together each year.

*I never thought I would be a Christmas bedding person but after having DD I have morphed into one. I really love Christmas

honestly these things develope naturally... I did the xmas card and everything for the first one and it didnt stick but Xmas eve boxes etc... have snuck in to our tradition over the years

A handmade stocking with name on is a great idea, if you or a close relative/friend can make it even better. We do Xmas eve pjs and chose a new tree decoration each year. A reusable advent calendar is also a great idea once a toddler. Don't over complicate though, different year may lend to different approaches. This year is likely to be my first not with my kids so it's kind of tough thinking about it but they are young adults and in lockdown areas

Reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve
New pjs
The NORAD Santa tracker
Glitter on the fireplace
We brine our turkey on Christmas Eve and everyone stirs it - bit odd 😂

Have fun building your traditions!