Traditions are part of what make holidays so unbelievably special to families. They create wonderful memories that will be forever cherished. From small to extravagant, simple to intricate, traditions add meaningful moments to the holiday. They also provide something to look forward to each year.
The true spirit of Christmas does not lie within these things themselves, but in the way we choose to partake in them. Usually, through the means of tradition.
As someone whose childhood was rich with seasonal tradition, I feel it greatly important to carry it on with my daughter and family. I have complied a list of traditions to start this year! There’s a mix of experiences from my childhood, stories from other friends and family members, and new ideas I would like to try myself!
1. Pick a New Ornament Each Year
1. Pick a New Ornament Each YearWe did this as kids. I still have my little collection and it is very fun to look back and share stories of vacations or favorite cartoons with my own family now. Did your child start a new activity this year? Or have their first field trip? Did you score a new job? Ornaments are a fun way to cherish those milestones!
2. Make Something
My extended family did a homemade gift exchange a few years back, where all presents had to be made by the giver. We received the most meaningful surprises! Another year, we all designed and sewed felt stockings together. Making memories and keepsakes at the same time? It doesn’t get better! So, make salt dough ornaments or hand-crafted cards for neighbors. Just pick a family project and get creating!
3. Attend a Community Event
Attending local events helps build community, while supporting the local businesses and organizations behind the events. Choose an event you can enjoy as a family! Brownie points if you can shop local artisans or donate an item to help people in need while you’re in attendance!
4. Donate
When we give to others, it helps strengthen our gratitude. We appreciate what we have more, when we witness others do without. Choose an angel from an angel tree or drop an item in the Toy for Tots box. Choose hats for the homeless or cans for a food drive and get the kiddos involved! Allow them to pick something out and go with you to drop it off.
5. Plan a Family Game Night
One year, I organized a Christmas themed Minute-To-Win-It game tournament. Pinterest offers plenty of ideas, tips, and even printable options for scoring and challenges. Plus, most game set up only requires household odds and ends. A friend of mine organizes a Bingo tournament with her family where she wraps up small mystery gifts to be selected as prizes. If you opt for something simpler, you can honestly never go wrong with your favorite board games and a surplus of cookies!
6. Pillow Mints
One Christmas, my daughter, too young to have any concept of time, kept asking if it was Christmas yet. Finally, I blurted out that when it was Christmas morning, there would be a candy cane on her pillow. That Christmas Eve, I laid candy canes out on everyone’s pillow, even one on the dog’s bed. She was so excited to discover them all the next morning that I will keep on doing it year after year!
7. Ding Dong Ditch
Nothing really brings the magic of Christmas home like a surprise showing up on your door step with no explanation of how it got there. Gather up spare cash. Buy some Christmas candy, warm blankets, or gift cards. Pick up a Christmas ham or a few extra toys. Simply do what you feel you can, take it to the home of someone in need, ring the doorbell and run away.
8. Look at Lights: Polar Express Style
Get the children into their pajamas. Mix up some hot chocolate. Send your husband outside to shout ‘all aboard’ at the top of his lungs. Then load everyone in and drive around looking at Christmas lights!
9. Volunteer
Pick a cause and volunteer to serve others in our community.
10. Put on a Performance
As young children, my cousins and I would practice magic tricks and make up jokes or skits to perform after Christmas dinner. My grandparents adored this so much, the adults started getting involved and productions grew more elaborate with time. We’ve acted out How the Grinch Stole Christmas, versions of The Wizard of Oz, and skits from the The Muppet Show. There have also been shameless Elvis impersonations, men in a bit of drag, a thousand mishaps, and even more unforgettable memories. Do it big or small, this is hands down my favorite holiday tradition!
11. Write Christmas Letters to Your Kids
Each year after she’s wrapped the gifts, my aunt sits down and writes letters to all of her kids. She reflects of the previous year of their lives, both the good and bad. She writes how much they mean to her and signs her love. Then she addresses each envelope and places them on the tree. A wonderful and cherished tradition in their family.
‘Tis the season to be together, have fun, and spread some good into the world! Whether you are wanting to shake things up this year or are just laying the ground work for family traditions, I hope this list inspires some meaningful moments in addition to beloved memories!
Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas!
We want to know, what are your favorite holiday traditions? Please share with us!
___________________________
Make sure you never miss out on a parenting or community-related blog post: sign up to receive Cedar Rapids Moms posts in your inbox. While you’re at it, join our VIP List to ensure you’re one of the first to know about upcoming Cedar Rapids Moms’ events and promotions!
Your blog has become an indispensable resource for me. I’m always excited to see what new insights you have to offer. Thank you for consistently delivering top-notch content!
Your ability to distill complex concepts into digestible nuggets of wisdom is truly remarkable. I always come away from your blog feeling enlightened and inspired. Keep up the phenomenal work!
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My site addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe
we could greatly benefit from each other. If you
happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way! http://Hulaser.com/home_kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=intra_02&wr_id=50412
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup.
Do you have any methods to protect against hackers? https://Cafreeclassifieds.com/author/changhqq259/
Can you tell us more about this? I’d want to find out some additional information. https://Seconddialog.com/question/parodontiste-a-quebec-specialistes-des-gencives-et-du-parodonte/
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to
find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some
of your ideas!! https://Theterritorian.Com.au/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=575286
I’ve read some good stuff here. Certainly
value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you
set to make one of these wonderful informative website. https://Www.DIE-Seite.com/index.php?a=stats&u=ricardo3490
This is the right web site for everyone who would like to find out about this topic.
You understand a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you
(not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that has been written about for
many years. Excellent stuff, just great! http://idesys.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=63068
Whiskey Bar OP
Asking questions are genuinely nice thing if you are nott understanding
anything fully, except this piece of writing presents fastidious understanding yet.
아리아카지노꽁머니
Hi there everyone, it’s my first visit at this site, and
piece of writing is genuinely frruitful in favor of me, keep up posting ssuch articles or
reviews.
3D 설계 제작 업체
I will immediately grasp your rss as I can not
to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindl permit me recogniise so tgat I coul subscribe.
Thanks.
특허소송
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog poatform are
you using for this website? I’m getting sick aand tired
of Wordpreess because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking
at alternativs for another platform. I would be
awesome if you could point me iin the direction of a good platform.
뱅크카지노 추천 코드 (Maryellen)
Excellent post. I waas cchecking continuously thi blog and
I am impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such infdo a lot.
I was looking for this particular information for a long time.
Thank you aand good luck.
핑카지노공식쿠폰
After looking ovwr a few of the blog posts on your web site,
I honestly like your technique of writing a blog.
I book-marked it too my bookmark site list and will bee checking back iin the near future.Please visit my web site too and tell me
your opinion.
한게임 홀덤 머니상
I must thank you for the efforts you habe put in penning this site.
I really hope to check out the same high-grade
content by you in the future as well. In truth, your
creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉
뉴헤븐공식코드
Its such as you learn mmy thoughts! You appear
to understand so mucdh about this, such as you wrote the e book in it orr something.
I believe that you simply could do with a ffew p.c.
to power the message home a bit, but other thaan that, this iis
magnificent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
개인회생
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your
site, howw could i subscribe for a bblog web site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted oof this your briadcast
offered bright clear concept
홈카지노가입코드
obviously like your website but you have to taie a ook at
the spellimg on several of your posts. Several of them are riffe with spelling issues and I find
it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hqnd I’ll surely come
back again.
구글기프트카드
With havin so much content doo yoou ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My blog hass a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced buut it appears a lot of it is popping it
up all oger the internet without mmy agreement.Do yoou know any techniques to help
protect against content from being stolen? I’d reaally appreciate it.
슈퍼슬롯 가입 사이트
Great goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff
rior to and you are just extremely great. I really likme what you
have acquired here,really lke what you are saying and the wway
in which wherein you are saying it. You’re making iit entertaining aand you
still care for tto kep it smart. I cant wait to learn far more from you.
This is really a great web site.
솜트는집
Inspiring quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!
도매몰
Just wish to say your aarticle is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and
i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab
your RSS ferd to keep updated with forthcomkng post.
Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
고카지노 평생주소
Very descriptive post, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2?
중국 상품 구매 대행
I must thank you for the efforts you haqve put in writing ths website.
I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from
you in the futurte aas well. In fact, yokur creative writing
abilities haas encouraged me to get my own, personal
website now 😉
부산피부과
What’s uup to every one, as I amm really eager off reading this website’s
post to be updated regularly. It contains nice stuff.
솜틀집
It is appropriate time to make a feew plans for the future and iit is time
tto be happy. I’ve reasd this submit and if
I may I desire to counsel you some interesting things or tips.
Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article.
I wish to rerad even more issues approximately it!
KPOP B2B (Edwin)
Wriute more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obgviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence
on just posting videos to your blog when you could be guving us something enlightening to read?
특허법률사무소 [Susie]
Its not my first timme too pay a quick visit this web page, i am browsing this website dailly and obtain nice facts from here all the time.
문화상품권 매입
Your blog is a shining example of excellence in content creation. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your writing. Thank you for all that you do.
Attractive section of content I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast
Buenos Aires – International Travel And Tours 부달사이트 (http://www.Domcavalo.com)
How To Plan A Scavenger Hunt Birthday Party For Adults 부달최신주소 – Patrickandmonica.net,
Good information. Lucky me I recently found your website by chance
(stumbleupon). I have book marked it for later!
온라인 레플리카 [Calvin]
The Advantages And Drawbacks Of Mobile Massage 알밤
Hi my family member I want to say that this post is awesome nice written and come with approximately all significant infos I would like to peer extra posts like this
Hookah Lounge 오피사이트
Nightlife 울산
Asking questions are in fact good thing if you are not understanding something
totally, but this paragraph gives fastidious understanding yet. http://Denwauranai-Navi.com/st-manager/click/track?id=4593&type=raw&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheterritorian.COM.Au%2Findex.php%3Fpage%3Duser%26action%3Dpub_profile%26id%3D849360
This post gives clear idea in support of the new viewers of blogging, that genuinely how to do
blogging. https://Bdstarter.com/pizzeria-bros/
Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Cheers http://blog-kr.dreamhanks.com/question/boutique-de-literie-trouvez-votre-oasis-de-sommeil/
Breast Self-Massage Is Simple 하이오피주소
VIP Lounge 하이오피
Wedding Songs – Top 8 Wedding Music Mistakes 하이오피
Party Scene 논현오피
Top Attractions That You Need Visit At Halong Bay 링크모음
Car Rental Discounts – How To See The Most Value For Your Rented Car
하이오피
Nightlife In Bratislava – Welcome To Partyslava BUDAL
How An Effective Dj Can Build Your Party A Success 하이오피주소
The Ever Increasing Popularity Of Party Tents 대전오피
Attractive portion of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital
to claim that I get in fact loved account your weblog
posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds or even I success you access
consistently fast. https://Tangguifang.Dreamhosters.com/comment/html/?1232244.html
This post will assist the internet visitors for setting
up new weblog or even a blog from start to end. http://aliceandgreta.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=higgledy-piggledy.xyz%2Findex.php%2FConseils_Par_Les_Services_De_Production_Vid%25C3%2583_o_%3A_Maximiser_L_Impact_De_Vos_Projets
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right
here! Best of luck for the next! https://usellbuybid.com/user/profile/1020400
Right here is the perfect web site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic.
You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been written about
for many years. Great stuff, just wonderful! https://pastoralcaremission.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=3493795