Easy Ways to Start Special Holiday Traditions with Your Kids
When it comes to the holidays, we love it all: the music, holiday traditions, the build up. And if there’s anything we can do to enjoy this special time of year even more with our kids, we’re all for it.
So, when we were told about this fun book, Twenty-four Sleeps Until Santa, our interest was piqued. It’s a cute little story to help you and your kids lead up to Christmas. You discover a new page each day and count down to the big day. We love that it’s a great way to spend time with your kids—there’s nothing like cuddling up in bed or on the couch before bed and getting a chance to talk about the meaning of the season. And NO elves to pose!
Each page is plastered with bright, full-page imagery (based on the site Portable North Pole, which is neat) and has a fun little story to go with it. Reading with kids is not only enjoyable, it’s an easy, low-pressure tradition you can start at any age.
If you’re looking for some other low-pressure, easy ways to start traditions with your kids during the holidays, here are a few more of our favourites.
Easy New Holiday Traditions to Start with Your Kids
New Pajamas for Christmas Eve
Who doesn’t love new holiday pjs? Even better if they can match! Getting a new pair of jammies on Christmas Eve each year is a simple and useful tradition. Plus, it’s fun to look back at photos over the years and see all the sweet and cute styles—and how much everyone has grown.
Movie Marathon
Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown… there are tons of great holiday movies that will make kids happy and give grown-ups all the nostalgic feels. Just pick a night and make it a yearly plan to get comfy, pop some popcorn and hang out together on the couch.
Gingerbread House-Making
Gather up candies and icing and the helpful little gingerbread-making kits for everyone and have at it! It’s a simple but really fun way to get creative and do something together as a family. Not to mention the benefit of snacking on all the gum drops!
Yearly Ornaments
Getting (or making) an ornament that represents something fun you did the previous year is a great way to collect memories. You could pick one up while on vacation, or mark special events like a new house, all with sweet, special ornaments you hang on the tree every year.
Month-Long Hot Chocolate Bar
Start December off right with a treat! Setting up a hot chocolate bar somewhere in your house with things you can leave out, like packets of hot chocolate, jars of marshmallows, sprinkles or chocolate shavings and candy canes, is a simple way to add a delicious tradition to the season.
Read a Book
It’s great to read Christmas books on the night before Christmas, but it’s even better to read together all month long. We love all kinds of stories and fun books about the holidays. But we especially love that you can extend the warm fuzzy tradition-feeling for weeks, rather than just for one night, with Twenty-four Sleeps Until Santa.
What are your family’s special holiday traditions? We’d love to hear them!
And to make the holiday season even merrier, try out the Portable North Pole app! Download it on iTunes or Google Play
I do a Candy Cane Hunt outside on their last day of school before Christmas, that I set up right before I pick them up so it is a surprise when we get home.
I love this!! May have to try this one myself this year! 🙂
We started a movie night with a sleep out under the Christmas tree last year. My 4 year old has requested it again. I think it’s one that will definitely stick in our family!
That is the sweetest!! I LOVE it!! 🙂