The holiday season is more than gifts and decorations—it’s a rare moment when time slows down, families gather, and memories are made in the simplest (and often unexpected) ways. Whether your household loves cozy nights in, outdoor adventures, or creative activities, building traditions gives everyone something joyful to look forward to year after year.
Below is a detailed guide to fun and meaningful holiday traditions your family can start—or bring back to life—this season.
The Family Ornament Tradition
One of the most beloved traditions is adding a new ornament to the tree every year.
What makes it special is choosing ornaments that represent something meaningful from the past year:
A camera if you took a big family vacation
A small diploma if someone graduated
A tiny house if you moved
A sports ornament for a kid’s successful season
Make it even more personal:
Have each family member create a DIY ornament with their name and the year written on the back.
A Christmas Eve “Cozy Night” Box
Prepare a box filled with:
Matching pajamas
Hot cocoa packets
A new holiday movie or book
Popcorn
Fuzzy socks
Open it on Christmas Eve and declare the night a relaxing, tech-free family evening. It sets a peaceful tone before the excitement of Christmas morning.
Baking Day (with a Twist!)
Holiday baking is a classic, but you can make it even more memorable with a theme:
Baking Themes to Try
Around-the-World Cookies: Bake treats from different countries—German spritz cookies, Italian pizzelles, Mexican wedding cookies.
The Great Family Bake-Off: Each person decorates a cookie and a judge (or an outside friend via FaceTime) picks categories like “Most Festive” or “Most Creative.”
Secret Family Recipe Book: Collect recipes from grandparents and relatives, bake their favorite desserts, and create a family cookbook.
Neighborhood Holiday Lights Tour
Pick a night, hop in the car with blankets, festive music, and hot cocoa, and drive through decorated neighborhoods.
Make it interactive:
Give kids a scorecard for “Best Color Theme,” “Most Lights,” and “Most Creative Display.”
Turn it into a scavenger hunt—look for Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and classic characters.
The Giving Tradition
Nothing warms the season more than kindness. Choose one charitable activity to do together every year:
Sponsor a family in need
Donate toys to a local drive
Bake cookies for first responders
Make “blessing bags” with essentials for those experiencing homelessness
This tradition helps children connect the holidays with gratitude and generosity.
Holiday Craft Night
Set the table with glitter, ribbon, pinecones, markers, and glue—and let creativity take over.
Ideas include:
Homemade wreaths
Hand-painted gift bags
Pinecone ornaments
Personalized stockings
You can also pick one craft to repeat annually, so you build a collection over time.
Family Game Tournament
Choose a winter night for a friendly competition:
Classic board games
Christmas-themed trivia
Holiday-themed charades
Mario Kart or another family-favorite video game
Create a scoreboard and award silly prizes—like “Family Champion” or “Most Competitive Spirit.”
The Christmas Countdown Calendar
Beyond simple chocolate advent calendars, try:
An activity calendar with one fun task per day
A gratitude calendar where each person writes something they’re thankful for
A good deed calendar encouraging daily kindness
It builds anticipation and keeps everyone engaged throughout December.
Annual Holiday Photo Tradition
Take a family photo in the same spot every year—by the fireplace, in front of the tree, or outside in the snow.
To make it extra fun:
Wear matching PJs
Do a themed photo (ugly sweaters, formal attire, funny hats)
Include pets
Over the years, these photos become a cherished timeline of growth.
A Family New Year’s Memory Jar
Start this tradition on January 1. Keep a jar in a visible place and encourage everyone to add notes throughout the year about:
Funny moments
Achievements
Trips
Surprising things that happened
Open the jar on New Year’s Eve and relive the best moments together.
Holiday traditions don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. The heart of the season is spending intentional time together—laughing, creating, relaxing, sharing, and celebrating what truly matters.
Whether you start one new tradition from this list or build an entire holiday routine, these small rituals can turn ordinary moments into lifelong memories.
