25 holiday traditions to start this year

Traditions are what bond families together and make amazing memories! When I was growing up, I remember decorating stockings for Christmas, writing letters to Santa, and watching Home Alone and A Christmas Story with my sister. Those were the days! I want my son to grow up with fond memories of the holidays, so I’ve rounded up 25 holiday traditions to start this year! This year, my new tradition will be to do a Christmas Eve surprise box with all of my son’s favorites and some cozy holiday pajamas!

1. Get crafty! Have a holiday craft night with your family and make Christmas cards for friends and family. You can also make popcorn garland for the tree, decorate a special ornament or Christmas stocking. Get more holiday craft ideas on A Little Craft in Your Day and Crafty Morning.

2. Bake cookies: There’s nothing better than baking holiday cookies with your family or friends on a snowy winter’s day! Get everyone together and make some festive cookies like these Melting Snowman Cookies.

3. Build a gingerbread house: Get everyone together and build a gingerbread house. You can even turn it into a contest to see who creates the best one! Check out these fun ideas for decorating your gingerbread house from Seventh House on the Left.

4. Write letters to Santa! Download and print your Free Letter to Santa Printable here!

5. Snap a family photo by tree! You can even get those ugly sweaters out and do a funny family photo!

6. Create a Christmas Eve surprise box for the kids or hubby with PJs, socks, books, favorite snacks, etc. I love this idea for a Christmas Eve box.

7. Head to your local tree farm and cut down or pick out your family Christmas tree!

8. Choose a family gift you can enjoy as a family.

9. Exchange gag gifts on Christmas Eve.

10. Volunteer together at your local homeless shelter or wrap gifts for Toys For Tots. It will teach your children the joy of giving back!

11. Put some Christmas music on, make some hot cocoa and trim the tree together!

12. Pick a favorite holiday movie together and watch it. Every year, we love watching A Christmas Story.

13. Go for a drive to see the best lights in town! Drive around your neighborhood and see the Christmas lights. Some cities even have designated routes for the best Christmas lights.

14. Act out a Christmas play.

15. Read a favorite Christmas book.

16. Organize a holiday scavenger hunt.

17. Set up a Christmas breakfast for the kids! We LOVE this Snowman Breakfast from Hoosier Homemade!

18. Build a snowman.

19. Make Magic Reindeer Food. See a fun recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

20. Get miniature trees for each of your children and have them decorate it any way they want!

21. Leave your shoes out for St. Nick! On the eve of December 5th, leave your shoes by the door with your Christmas list inside and wake up to find a few surprises in your shoes. Kids LOVE this! Do you celebrate this tradition?

22. Have a sleepover by the Christmas tree!

23. Make and deliver gifts for your neighbors or classmates. Check out 101 Quick and Easy Christmas Gifts from The Dating Divas for some ideas.

24. Have an Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt. Check out these scavenger ideas and a free printable on East Coast Mommy.

25. Go ice skating!

What tradition will you start this year? Let us know in the comments below!