Christmas traditions for families that make the season unforgettable year after year

Christmas traditions play a huge role in shaping how kids remember the holidays. 

And with so many fun, family-friendly options to choose from, it’s easier than you might think to create lasting rituals that become part of your family’s story — not just temporarily, but for generations to come.

Whether it’s decorating cookies (or a tree), bundling up for a neighborhood light tour or writing letters to Santa Claus, these holiday traditions become the anchor points that make the season feel magical. 

They give kids something to anticipate — and bring families closer together. 

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If you’re hoping to add a few Christmas traditions to your lineup — or refresh ones you already have — this list is full of ideas that can help make this holiday unforgettable for every member of the family.

Visit a Christmas tree farm

Wandering a Christmas tree farm turns choosing a tree into a festive adventure. Families sip cocoa, explore rows of evergreens and share that magical moment when everyone agrees on “the one.”

Decorate the Christmas tree

Unwrapping ornaments and adding new favorites makes decorating the tree feel nostalgic and creative. Kids help place decorations, and the final lights-on moment signals that Christmas has officially begun.

Outdoor Christmas lights

Hanging outdoor lights transforms your home into a glowing holiday scene. Families choose colors, string lights together and celebrate when the house shines brightly enough to impress the whole neighborhood.

Local Christmas light tour

A neighborhood light tour is pure December joy. Load the car, turn up holiday music and cruise past dazzling displays while kids point out favorites, inflatables and the brightest houses.

Hang, fill and open stockings

Stockings build anticipation throughout the season. Families hang them together, tuck in small surprises and open them before larger gifts, turning simple trinkets into magical Christmas-morning moments.

Christmas Advent calendar

A Christmas Advent calendar gives kids a daily dose of excitement. Each door or drawer reveals candy, tiny toys or notes, making the countdown to Christmas feel like a month-long celebration.

Christmas movie marathon

A Christmas movie marathon creates a cozy at-home holiday retreat. Families snuggle up in pajamas, pick favorite classics and nibble festive snacks, turning a simple afternoon into a cherished seasonal ritual.

Decorate gingerbread houses

Gingerbread-house decorating invites creativity — and plenty of candy sampling. Kids build sugary structures with icing and treats, celebrating the delicious chaos no matter how crooked the masterpiece.

Bake Christmas cookies

Baking cookies fills the house with warm holiday scents. Families mix dough, decorate with sprinkles and enjoy fresh-baked treats that become gifts, party snacks or Santa’s late-night fuel.

Leave cookies and milk out for Santa

Setting out cookies and milk keeps Christmas magic alive. Kids choose Santa’s treats, write notes and wake to find crumbs left behind — proof their holiday hero truly visited.

Write letters to Santa Claus

Writing Santa letters lets kids share wish lists and excitement. Families mail them, drop them off locally or save them as keepsakes, capturing the wonder of childhood in festive handwriting.

Donate old toys to charity

Donating toys helps kids embrace the spirit of giving. Families gather gently used items and deliver them to charities, teaching generosity while brightening another child’s holiday season.

Family photo cards

Family photo cards turn a single snapshot into a holiday tradition. Dress up, pose for fun or candid shots and send them to loved ones as a yearly celebration of growth and togetherness.

Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the Shelf brings playful mischief to December mornings. The elf changes locations nightly, giving kids a daily surprise that keeps them eagerly searching for what the elf did next.

Adopt a family for the holidays

Adopting a family shifts the focus to meaningful giving. Yours can shop for gifts, essentials and holiday foods, delivering everything together and making a powerful difference for another household.

Listen to Christmas music

Turning on Christmas music instantly boosts holiday spirit. Families dance, sing along or build playlists filled with classics and upbeat favorites, creating a soundtrack that defines the season.

Build a snowman outside

Building a snowman makes winter days unforgettable. Kids roll big snowballs, stack them carefully and accessorize with scarves and carrots, leaving a cheerful frosty friend in the yard.

White elephant exchange

A white elephant exchange brings laughter to gift-giving. Families pick quirky presents, then steal, swap and unwrap in a fun, unpredictable game that becomes the highlight of any gathering.

Homemade Christmas ornaments

Crafting ornaments turns creativity into keepsakes. Families use paint, photos or simple supplies to make personalized decorations that grow more meaningful each year on the tree.

Visit Santa at local mall

A mall Santa visit gives kids a magical moment. They share wish lists, pose for festive photos and leave believing in the wonder of meeting Santa face-to-face — keeping the spirit of Christmas alive.

Open one present on Christmas Eve

Opening one gift on Christmas Eve is the perfect anticipation-builder. Families choose cozy pajamas, books or small surprises, making the night before Christmas extra special.

Set up a Christmas village

Setting up a Christmas village lets families build a miniature winter world. Add houses, figurines and trees, expanding the display each year as a treasured seasonal tradition.

Bake a Yule log

Baking a Yule log adds old-world charm to holiday desserts. Families roll and decorate the cake to look like a festive log, complete with frosting “bark” and sweet toppings.

Christmas caroling

Caroling spreads holiday cheer through song. Families gather friends, choose favorite carols and visit neighbors, turning simple melodies into moments of community connection.

Throw an ugly sweater party

An ugly sweater party celebrates all things silly. Families and friends wear their most outrageous sweaters, play games and take plenty of photos for a night full of laughter.

Christmas cup game

This game, explained by Kate Gosselin in a TikTok video, involves filling solo cups with prizes and taping them to a table. The family takes turns trying to throw ping pong balls in the cups to win the prize.

Come up with your own Christmas traditions

Christmas traditions don’t have to be familiar — and they don’t even have to be festive. 

For example, some families make it a tradition to hide a pickle — or pickle-shaped ornament — on or in the Christmas tree. On Dec. 25, the kids compete to find the pickle for a shot at winning a prize. 

And let’s not forget about the NBA and NFL games that take place on Dec. 25. 

Some families prefer to create completely unexpected rituals, like hosting a Christmas morning pancake art contest, where everyone competes to flip the most outrageous holiday-themed creation.

Others swear by a yearly “wrap battle,” where everyone wraps one gift in the most ridiculous, over-the-top way possible — using decoy boxes, duct tape or layers of wrapping paper that take forever to open.

There’s also the beloved tradition of the “Christmas Day Olympics,” with events ranging from candy cane ring tosses to timed ornament relays to competitive hot cocoa chugging — medals included, of course.

Some families even turn gift opening into a scavenger hunt, sending kids racing around the house to find clues that lead to their presents.

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As long as the family is together, every Christmas is bound to be the best Christmas ever.