Recently, a group chat with friends turned into everyone swapping their favorite Christmas traditions—little things they grew up with or ideas they want to try with their own kids. It got me thinking, so I pulled together a list of ten sweet and simple ones I’ve done, heard about, or stumbled on while searching for inspiration.
1. 24 Wrapped Christmas Books
Wrap 24 Christmas books. Each night of December, the kids get to unwrap one and read it before bed. It instantly makes bedtime festive and gives the kids something to look forward to each night.
2. “Cookie Hookie” Day
One random weekday in December, you keep the kids home from school and spend the day baking cookies, listening to Christmas music, and maybe add a Christmas movie in the mix.
Add in a twist by having a cookie contest judged by you or grandparents.
3. Donations Before Presents
Before Christmas, the kids go through their toys and clothes and choose what they want to donate. It clears space, but more importantly, it teaches generosity in a way that feels natural—not forced.
4. A Letter to Your Kids Every Year
Write a short note to each kid about their year—what made you proud, made them laugh, what they learned, the funny things they said on repeat, etc. Keep the notes in a box and each year bring them out to re-read.
5. The New Ornament Tradition
We give each kid a new ornament every Christmas. I add their initials and the year somewhere on it so that when we unpack them each December we remember the stories or phases behind each one.
A friend shared their family’s version, which I love: the Fairy Godmother leaves a new ornament on everyone’s pillow on Christmas Eve, always something that represents their year. They’ve done it for generations, and it’s still one of her favorite traditions.
6. The Day-After-Christmas “Leftovers Day”
December 26th becomes a slow day: pajamas all morning, leftovers, a Christmas movie, and maybe a board game if anyone feels ambitious.
7. Christmas Morning Donut Drop-Offs
We did this a couple times growing up and I thought it was really fun and sweet. On Christmas morning, we would pick up a box of donuts and drop them on a few friends’ porches before they were even awake. It’s quick, it’s simple, and your kids feel a little like a magic elf dropping breakfast off for someone else.
8. Gingerbread House Decorating
I grew up with this one. Every year we decorated gingerbread houses with another family. We handled the houses, icing, eggnog for adults, and hosting; they brought all the candy decorations. We did this until we were all out of the house, and honestly, I’d still do it today. The chaos, the candy sorting, and the competitive decorating is fun at any age.
9. Make a Yule Log
Another tradition from my childhood: my cousins and I would go to my grandparents on Christmas Eve to make a yule log dessert for Christmas Day. Everyone had a job—mixing butter, spreading icing, baking the cake—and afterward we’d all hang out. Then on Christmas, we’d proudly bring out our yule log for dessert.
Add your spin to it and make any dessert for Christmas Day.
10. Letters to Santa Night
Pick one December evening for everyone to sit down together and write letters to santa. Make hot cocoa, light a fire, and bring out glitter, stickers, crayons, whatever. Kids love the creative part just as much as the wish-list part.