Creating Christmas Memories
Writing the Collective’s social media posts this week has certainly got me thinking about what makes Christmas special. Sure, the presents are great, but the things I most remember tend to be about the people, and the experiences. Sharing those memories and continuing our family Christmas traditions really helps to bring everyone together and make the occasion feel special. And the excitement and enthusiasm of kids at Christmas is infectious.
Here are some fun ideas for creating great Christmas traditions with the family.
1. Take the kids to the library and borrow some Christmas books. Read them each night in the lead up to Christmas.
2. Do a video interview of family members every Christmas Eve, talking about why Christmas is special to them.
3. Instead of chocolate in the Advent Calendar, write notes each day about what you love the most about each child. Each day they’ll read something positive about themselves and feel great.
4. Hide the last presents on Christmas day and make clues as to where your kids can find them. (Having done this once, it is just as much fun for the giver as the receiver!)
5. Turn your Elf on a Shelf into a Kindness Elf that helps around the house and notices when your kids do considerate things. (I can’t say I’m a fan of the Elf on a Shelf, but if you do have one, use his/her powers for good!)
6. Drive or walk around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. I love the extent that some people go to, to make others happy with their light displays.
7. Give matching Christmas pyjamas for the whole family on Christmas Eve. (Then post it on social media and become a meme.)
8. Make reindeer food out of dried oats and glitter and have the kids sprinkle it in the backyard on Christmas Eve.
9. Take flour and make Santa footprints on Christmas Eve.
10. Watch your favourite Christmas movie and eat Christmas treats every Christmas Eve.
11. Take your kids shopping for a toy to donate during the Christmas season.
12. Make a countdown to Christmas paper chain. Take a ring off the chain each day.
13. Write a yearly letter to your kids and put it in a clear plastic, fillable ornament ball.
14. Take your kids shopping to buy presents for each other.
15. Have a special dessert or dish you only make on Christmas. Something really decadent. Get everyone involved in making it.
16. Have a camp out one night under the Christmas tree.
17. Booby trap the children’s bedroom doors by creating a web of green and red streamers the kids have to break through on Christmas morning.
18. Take a picture each year in front of the tree in the same poses. Keep an ongoing collection for a photo series that shows them growing up.
19. Photocopy your children’s letters to Santa each year and make a book out of them when they are older.
20. Make a red and green paper gratitude chain. Each night leading up to Christmas, each person writes what they are grateful for and adds it to the chain.
21. Crank up the Christmas carols and sing!
22. Leave stockings at the foot of your children’s bed to keep them entertained as you catch a few more minutes sleep on Christmas morning (one can dream)!
23. Give your kids a Christmas bath with a few drops of green food dye or bath colour, candy canes and some holiday decorations all around the tub.
24. Have a treasure hunt in or around the house. Hide Christmas chocolate coins or candy canes for everyone to hunt out.
25. Remember that neither we, nor Christmas, need to be perfect. We just need to be present.
For me Christmas is really all about making special family traditions and memories. The gifts are just a bonus!
Merry Christmas!
Karen 😊