One of the best things about having a family is enjoying the holidays. When you have your own little family, you can also implement your very own traditions. This makes the build up to the big day even more exciting! Here, we have some suggestions for fun Christmas traditions your family can enjoy together. Take a look and see what you want to implement to make Christmas all the more special.
Elf On The Shelf
Just about everybody has heard of Elf on the Shelf. If you haven’t – where have you been?! Many people choose to buy the ‘official’ elf, but it’s pretty cheaply made, so you might want to invest in your own elf for a more reasonable sum. This is called a ‘scout elf’ and they will make sure your children are being good for Santa on the run up to Christmas. The idea is that the elf flies to Santa each night to report back, after getting into mischief at your house. On Christmas Eve it returns to the North Pole. However, there must be rules:
Nobody touches the scout elf. If they do, the elf loses its magic.
A scout elf won’t speak or move when anybody else in the house is awake.
Telling your kids the above will keep the magic alive. However, it’s important to remember that this is a commitment. You’ll likely have to do this for years, and come up with a brand new idea to get the elf into mischief each night for a whole month. It can be too much for some!
Wearing Ugly Sweaters
On Christmas day, wearing nice clothes can be a nice tradition – but won’t wearing Ugly Christmas Sweaters be a lot more fun? Perhaps you could get matching sweaters, or take it in turns to pick out each other’s sweaters.
Matching Pyjamas On Christmas Eve
Wearing matching pyjamas on Christmas eve and watching a Christmas movie complete with snacks can be a lot of fun. Just make sure you start winding down for bed early, as the kids will struggle to sleep!
Give A Christmas Eve Box
A Christmas eve box can contain pyjamas, a Christmas movie, a hot chocolate, and other related treats.
Flour/Icing Footprints
Show that Santa has really been by placing icing footprints right by your fireplace! If you don’t have one, your front door is fine.
Leaving Food Out For Santa
An age old tradition for a reason. Leave out some mince pies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.
Making Homemade Cards
In advance of Christmas, why not sit down together and make homemade cards for family and friends? This is a great activity for a rainy day and gives your kids a chance to get creative!
Baking Christmas Goods Together
Why not bake some Christmas cupcakes or cookies together? If you have some time off work over the Christmas period, set a whole day aside and get baking! Have fun with piping icing and other decorations – and don’t forget to lick the bowl clean!
7 Comments
Tracey Kifford
We don’t do Elf on the Shelf – I don’t have the imagination or patience for it! We do a ‘family bake day’ though, where we prepare all the ingredients for our Christmas cakes. And we do Christmas Eve boxes and a plate is left for Santa, containing a carrot, mince pie and glass of sherry
Leila
I’m also not so creative with Elf on the Shelf 🙂
Karen
There’s so much fun family things to do in association with the festive season, I wish the schools broke up earlier.
Leila
My favourite season for sure! Thanks Karen.
Amanda Blackburn
We do most of these things together. My favourite part of Christmas is the fun times preparing for it.
Leila
That’s so true. Thanks Amanda.
Eva Katona
Isn’t it wonderful when a family – especially with small children starts traditions lasting for decades and eventually even pass them on to their children? That’s one magical thing about Christmas!