Part of the magic of Christmas is the joy of family traditions. Meaningful Christmas traditions create memories that connect families through the years, often passing from one generation to the next. Decorating the tree, holiday baking, and reading the Christmas story have been part of every Christmas I can remember. Each year we look forward to favorite activities and events that have become part of celebrating Christmas. Our family also enjoys trying new ways to enjoy time together at Christmas that make for a more meaningful Christmas. Consider this list of 25 meaningful Christmas tradition ideas. Which one could become a new Christmas tradition in your family?
Christmas traditions help focus on the meaning of Christmas.
Counter the push of consumerism and commercialism this Christmas with sacred traditions that focus on Christ and time with family. In the busyness of the season, it is easy for meaningful moments to get lost in the rush. Activities, parties, and events can make it hard to spend time together as a family if we aren’t intentional. Preparing for the rush of the Christmas season with good planning can help us make those meaningful moments happen. Take time to think about what special traditions and activities you want to ensure happen for your family. Schedule them on the family calendar and share the dates with your family. This often works best when you plan as a family, taking into account various schedules and events already planned. As you choose activities, consider which ones will help your family focus on the meaning of Christmas.
Try a new sacred tradition each year to create holy moments for your family.
Traditions are memorable part of Christmas. Making Christmas cookies, hanging outdoor lights, and attending church on Christmas Eve are a few of the traditions we do every year. Our family looks forward to these traditions as we connect with the meaning of Christmas and enjoy time together. We also incorporate new activities that are of interests as our family grows and changes through the seasons of life.
Though many of our traditions are still a fun and meaningful part of Christmas, we’ve added new things that have been very special. One year, a visit with relatives in North Carolina was a very special addition to our Christmas. When our girls were home from college, they enjoyed having a devotional time together, reading and discussing Bible verses or devotions. One year we took a trip to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, enjoying the lights, carols, and festive shows. We’ve been back several times and it’s always fun.
As much as I love traditions, it has been very special to add new activities over the years. We are starting a new tradition…of trying something new each year. Trying new things, means adjusting some of the “normal” traditions so that we aren’t running ragged by Christmas day. As you plan ways to make Christmas meaningful for your family, consider this list of ideas. Which activity could help your family enjoy time together, focusing on the true reasons we celebrate the holidays?
25 Simple Ways to Enjoy a More Meaningful Christmas
- To keep things fresh, consider starting a tradition of trying one new thing each year. Involve your kids in choosing a new activity to add to your celebration. Maybe each year a different child gets to help choose the activity.
- Give gifts of service or time to someone in need.
- Read Christmas devotions by candlelight at dinner or before bed each night.
- Create a Family Christmas Journal. Let everyone write letters to God expressing thanks and praise for God’s blessings. Add favorite verses and a few family pictures. Write notes of appreciation for each other in the journal. Write down special moments to remember. Let younger kids draw pictures. What fun to save your family Christmas Journal, adding to it through the years.
- Create a Christmas memory book or photo album. Enjoy adding new pictures each year. Makes a wonderful gift as well!
- Collect Christmas cards in a basket. Pray for one family at each meal as you draw a card out of the basket.
- Write down something that is your gift for Christ, kind comments for family members, or reasons for gratitude and place in a white stocking or special box throughout December. Share the contents of the stocking as part of your Christmas Eve celebration.
- Take a short trip together to visit family or a fun destination.
- Celebrate Advent.
- Attend a concert of sacred music.
- Make an Advent Jesse tree, adding one handmade ornament each day. You can request a free download to make ornaments from Ann Voskamp’s best-selling Christmas book here.
- Give a daily gift of encouragement to others.
- Pay kids for chores to use for a gift for Jesus. Put money in a gift box to use for Angel Tree or Toys for Tots.
- Share the Gospel through the book, Legend of the Candy Cane. (affiliate link) Or share the story with this free printable tag from Happy Home Fairy.
- Support a missionary or relief organization.
- Draw family names for mystery gifts of service each week in December. Try to guess who had your name.
- Send Christmas cards, Scripture verses, or care packages to deployed military.
- Give a Christian book or devotional to read as a family.
- Invite those without family around to join your family for Christmas.
- Wrap and hide the Baby Jesus from your Nativity. Let kids search for the Baby Jesus as the first or last gift of Christmas.
- Make a birthday cake for Jesus.
- Choose a Christmas verse to pray for each member of the family. Mark it in your Bible to pray throughout the year.
- Commit to practicing kindness daily.
- Attend a Christmas Eve service.
- Act out the Christmas story—dressing up is fun for young kids.
Which of these simple ideas will help you enjoy a more meaningful Christmas with your family? What is one way you stay focused on the holy in your holiday this Christmas?
Enjoy a Free 7-Day Christmas Devotional for a More Meaningful Christmas
Get a free Christmas devotional from Ginger when you sign up for my newsletter! Enjoy this beautiful ebook to spark hope in your life this Christmas. Focus on the meaning of Christmas with this resource in your quiet time, family devotions, or small group. From my heart to yours, I wish you a Christmas season filled with worshipful moments with Christ.
Enjoy the Best of Christmas from Ginger
A curated collection of Christmas content from award-winning author and blogger, Ginger Harrington. Take the Christmas Worship Challenge, read inspiring devotions, download free gifts, gather ideas for family fun, make a special gift, and chuckle with Ginger’s Christmas humor. Read the story of Ginger’s Christmas miracle in a free chapter from her book, Holy in the Moment. Enjoy the best of Christmas that you’ll want to come back to year after year!
Read, listen, or watch the story of a Christmas miracle I experienced where God taught me about faith, hope, and healing. This is a behind-the-scenes podcast and related blog post featuring content from the first chapter of my award-winning book, Holy in the Moment. (This is an affiliate link.) A poignant story from one challenging Christmas in my life was truly a Christmas miracle. Give the gift of holy this Christmas–Holy in the Moment makes a wonderful gift to encourage faith in a practical way. Learn more about the book here.
Download your free chapter here.
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