Family Christmas Traditions To Do in 2023

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Are you looking for Family Christmas Traditions that you can start with little kids or toddlers?

These are easy and simple family Christmas traditions that don’t require a lot of money but focus on creating memories that last a lifetime. 

I don’t remember what I got for Christmas when I was 7 or 12.  I do remember very distinctly setting out milk and cookies for Santa with nothing but the tree lights on, making my grandma’s homemade O’Henry Bar recipe with my mom, and opening a Christmas Eve gift that I knew was going to be a game I would play that night.  That’s what made Christmas so special for me.

Here are Christmas Traditions your kids will remember!  Memories are what help make Christmas so special.

These Christmas Traditions focus on spending time together as a family and bonding.  They are stress free (for me anyway) and I love doing these Christmas Traditions with my kids.  

Here are 15 Family Christmas traditions your kids will remember:

#1 Looking at Christmas Lights

Drive around and look at Christmas Lights or walk around if you live in the city. 

I always remember doing this as a kid and still do it with my kids today. 

Find neighborhoods that have lots of lights.  Some neighborhoods even do events if you can find them.  We have one near us that serves hot chocolate and has a Santa Clause the kids can see. This is something you can even do with babies and little kids that is easy and stimulating!  Play Christmas music as you drive!  A cheap and memorable holiday activity.

#2 Watch Christmas Movies Together

Watch some of the classics or try some new Christmas movies.  Some of our favorite classics are Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas.  These are good for little kids because they’re shorter in length.  The Polar Express is the kids’ favorite movie.  

Make some hot chocolate or warm apple cider and some yummy treats to enjoy during the movie.

#3 Baking Christmas Cookies

This is something we do year after year.  Bake your kids’ favorite Christmas cookies with them and have them decorate.  For toddlers, they can help mix, frost, and put sprinkles on the cookies.  

Or make it simple and buy cookies pre-made and just have them frost!

I especially like making recipes handed down from my grandparents.  These are the most special recipes to make and recipes I hope to give to my kids one day.

You can give these away for little gifts if you don’t want that many treats.  

#4 Christmas Eve Gift with a game, pajamas, movie, etc.

For a Christmas eve gift, give something they can use that night.  A special pair of Christmas pajamas, a movie they would love, a special book to read, or a game to play.  There are lots of ideas to put in these.   Put in something that gears towards what your child would like.

I like to give my toddlers a special Christmas book or stuffed animal for a Christmas tradition.  They still play with their big giant stuffed Santa year-round that they got last year.

#5 Decorating the tree together and the house/decorate their bedroom

Have toddlers and kids help put ornaments on the tree.  They can put little Christmas decorations in their rooms (that are kid-safe).

My 10-year-old hangs Christmas lights in his room and decorations from the dollar store he picks out every year for tradition.

#6 Make a Gingerbread house and Decorate it

This is so fun and so easy!  Usually, we just buy a kit from the store and the kids decorate it. 

Graham crackers with icing also work to make a gingerbread house. Let them use their imagination and decorate however they want!  This is something we do every year for a Christmas tradition!

#7 Make Christmas Ornaments

Make a DIY Christmas ornament.  Our favorite ornaments to make are these salt dough ornaments!  

Ornaments will be fun to look at every year or make one for a gift for a relative or friend.

#8 Visiting Santa Clause

This is something I’ve done every year with my kids.  I usually try to find free Santa visits, instead of going to the mall (which is too much of a challenge with twins).  I still have my 10-year-old go and get his picture with Santa.  They are fun to look back on! 

#9 Make a Homemade Christmas Gift for a friend or relative 

When my son was younger we bought mugs and did fingerprint reindeers and filled them with Hershey Kisses for Christmas gifts.  Now that he’s a little older he likes to make duct tape wallets and bags for gifts.   Have your child make something that they have an interest in. 

Your toddler could make a simple holiday art or craft and give it to a relative.  Here are easy Christmas art and craft ideas for toddlers and little kids.

#10 Decorate cookies for Santa and leave with a Glass of Milk on Christmas Eve

Make cookies from scratch or just buy pre-made dough. 

I used to make dough from scratch before having my twins (I had way more free time), but now we just buy the pre-made sugar cookie dough from the grocery store – with the pre-made frosting. This is such a classic Christmas tradition I do with my toddlers and kids every year. 

Related: 10 Ways To Prove Santa Is Real for Kids

#11 Christmas Breakfast/Brunch

Make a special breakfast or brunch for Christmas morning.  Here are cute and easy Christmas morning kid breakfast ideas.

I like to make pancakes and make them look like a snowman or a Santa by putting whip cream on them.   We do special drinks like hot chocolate with candy canes and apple cider.  

#12 Go shopping for sibling presents or presents for a relative

Let them pick out a special gift for a sibling or a relative (I like to do gifts around $5 for this).  Or they can make a homemade one for them.  I like to talk about the importance of giving during the holiday season – even if it’s a homemade card.

#13 Put out carrots for the reindeer on Christmas Eve

Have your child lay out some carrots on the porch for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas eve.  Have them check for crumbs in the morning!  This is so fun!

#14 Read a special book on Christmas Eve

We like to read The Night Before Christmas.  Find a classic to read year after year.

#15 Make or buy an advent calendar for a Christmas Tradition

This one is fun and a great way to help get kids excited for Christmas.  Toddlers may not get the full concept, but it’s a great way to practice counting with them!  I started doing advent calenders when my son was three years old.

#16 The Portable North Pole 

This is where Santa sends you a special message (on your phone or computer) with your name and picture.  My kids love doing the Portable North Pole – especially the 2 year olds!  We just do the free version but there’s lots you can do with it.

#17 Visit a Tree Farm

Find a tree farm to go visit.  We have some near us that has a Santa Claus the kids can visit and get hot cocoa!

#18 Make A Christmas List for Santa

Have your kids make a wish list. Have them write how old they are and a little about themselves. 

I like to keep these and look back on them.  I put theirs in clear ball ornaments and hang them on the tree.

#19 Make a count-down paper chain to Christmas!

I hope these ideas give you some inspiration to create your own Family Christmas Traditions to start this year! 

Christmas is a time of excitement, joy, giving, lots of family time, and cozying up for us! 

Every family is different and does things in their own way – adapt any of these to work for you and your family!

My goal with these Family Christmas Traditions is to make happy and positive memories of Christmas for my kids and to enjoy every moment of it – that one day they can carry on.

What are your Family Christmas Traditions?  I would love to hear!

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