Building holiday traditions with your family is one of the most meaningful ways to bring everyone closer together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Over the years, I’ve learned that traditions don’t have to be extravagant or conventional to be special. In fact, some of the most fun and rewarding traditions are the ones that are personal, creative, and tailored to your family’s unique personality. Let me share some creative ways you can start building holiday traditions with your loved ones this year.
- Host a Family DIY Ornament Night
One of my favorite traditions is setting aside an evening to make homemade ornaments together. We gather around the dining table with paint, glitter, ribbons, and plain ornaments, and let our creativity flow. Every year, we add our handmade decorations to the tree, and it has become this beautiful, mismatched collection of memories. Plus, it’s a great way to let the kids express themselves artistically.
- Create a Themed Holiday Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t love a cozy movie night during the holidays? We take it up a notch by making it a themed marathon. One year, we watched only animated classics like The Polar Express and Frosty the Snowman. Another year, it was all family comedies like Home Alone and Elf. To make it even more fun, we pair the snacks with the theme—like hot cocoa with marshmallows for the animated night or pizza and cookies for comedy night. It’s something we all look forward to.
- Write Letters to Your Future Selves
This is one of those traditions that feels a little magical. As a family, we sit down and write letters to our future selves. It’s not just about reflecting on the year that’s passed but also about setting hopes and goals for the year ahead. We seal the letters in a box and promise not to open them until the next holiday season. The best part? Reading last year’s letters and seeing how far we’ve come.
- Plan a Random Acts of Kindness Day
Holidays are a time to spread joy, and one of our favorite traditions is dedicating a day to performing random acts of kindness. As a family, we brainstorm ideas—like buying coffee for strangers, leaving handwritten notes on parked cars, or baking cookies for neighbors. It’s incredible how much happiness these small gestures bring, not just to others but to us as well.
- Cook a Recipe Passed Down in the Family
Reconnecting with family heritage through food is such a special experience. Every year, we choose a recipe that’s been passed down through generations and make it together. For us, it’s my grandmother’s cinnamon rolls. It’s not just about the delicious result—it’s about bonding over the process and sharing stories about the person behind the recipe.
- Start a "Holiday Wishlist Swap"
Instead of the usual gift exchange, we started a wishlist swap tradition. Everyone writes down one non-material thing they’d like for the holidays—like “a family game night” or “an afternoon baking cookies together.” Then, we pick someone else’s wishlist and make it happen. It’s a great reminder that the best gifts aren’t always things.
- Take a Night Walk to Look at Holiday Lights
One of the simplest yet most magical traditions we’ve started is bundling up and taking a nighttime stroll to admire the neighborhood lights. We bring along hot chocolate in travel mugs and pick out our favorite displays. It’s such a calming, joyful way to soak in the holiday spirit together.
- Have a "Decorate-the-House-Day" Celebration
Turning the act of decorating into an event has made it one of my favorite traditions. We put on holiday music, bake cookies, and spend the entire day transforming the house. From hanging wreaths to setting up the tree, it becomes a festive, family-wide effort that feels less like a chore and more like a party.
- Create a Holiday Book Club
For the book lovers in the family, a holiday book club is a fantastic tradition. Each person picks a holiday-themed book to read, and we set aside time to discuss them over hot cocoa. Sometimes we even read children’s classics like The Night Before Christmas together as a family.
- Capture the Year in a Holiday Scrapbook
One of my more recent traditions is creating a holiday scrapbook. Throughout the season, we collect mementos like ticket stubs, printed photos, and handwritten notes. At the end of the festivities, we compile them into a scrapbook. It’s such a rewarding way to document the season and look back on years past.
- Have a Family Talent Show
This one started as a joke but quickly became a favorite tradition. Everyone in the family has to showcase a talent—whether it’s singing, dancing, magic tricks, or even telling jokes. It’s silly, heartwarming, and guaranteed to leave everyone in fits of laughter.
- Design a Holiday Playlist Together
Music is such a big part of the holiday season, so why not create your own family playlist? Each person gets to add their favorite holiday song, and we play it throughout the season. It’s a small but meaningful way to include everyone’s personality in the celebrations.
- Build a "Giving Jar" Tradition
Throughout the holiday season, we keep a jar in the kitchen where we jot down ways we can give back—whether it’s donating to a cause, volunteering, or helping a friend. At the end of the season, we take action on as many of the ideas as we can. It’s a simple way to make giving a core part of our holiday tradition.
- End the Season with a Family Reflection Night
To close out the holidays, we have a reflection night where we sit together and share our favorite moments from the season. It’s a chance to appreciate the little things and end the holidays on a note of gratitude and connection.
Building holiday traditions doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to focus on what brings your family joy and togetherness. Whether it’s making ornaments, baking cookies, or simply enjoying a walk under the lights, it’s the love and intention you put into these moments that make them special. So, get creative, have fun, and start making those memories that your family will cherish forever.
