BlogHer
ChristmasAll Ages410 Comments
I know. I know. You don’t need anything more to do this Christmas! Especially not another family Christmas tradition to put into place. Just wait… These are simple ones, ones I bet you’re already doing.
What do you do every year? What are your family Christmas traditions?
December is now upon us, Thanksgiving is behind us, and now it is holiday season in full swing.
I often try to start new traditions, and never uphold them from year to year. This year I started thinking about what we actually do every single year. And while it’s not glamorous and over the top, it works for us and the kids look forward to it every year.
Maybe it’s the simplicity of it that I love.
My husband recently told me his thoughts about traditions. What’s the point of them if you feel stressed out keeping them up? I thought about that and it really makes sense. Why would I want to keep doing something over and over again if I just feel bad when I’m doing it?
Simplicity really works, especially with the holidays.
How do you celebrate during the holidays? Do you get all dolled up and sparkly? Or do you keep it low key and comfortable?
This is how we celebrate… very low key. Very comfortable.
These are our family Christmas traditions that we do every year.
I encourage you to share yours in the comments too. But I also encourage you to keep it simple and make sure you love the traditions you do every year. Don’t make this season harder than it already is with everything that’s going on.
Countdown to Christmas
Beginning December 1st for the 25 days to Christmas, we do a Christmas countdown in some form or fashion. Last year, it was a Christmas Countdown Chain. We also have a felt Christmas tree that we put one ornament on every day until we get to the top and add the star on Christmas Day.
Christmas Crafts
We don’t go overboard with crafts for the holidays, because I tend to stress out if I have big plans and try to follow through. My goal every year is to do a holiday craft with the kids at some point in December. That’s about it. We’ve always managed at least one, if not several if our moods allow. Ideas: 25 easy Christmas crafts for kids
Candy Making
This is a tradition from my childhood. And we still do it with my mom. Usually it’s the Saturday after my birthday (on the 4th, you bet it’s today, and yes, I’m expecting you to email me and say Happy Birthday!). We make all sorts of chocolate candies, including peanut butter cups, Oreo balls (what we call Reindeer Poop), Mints, and a Norwegian tradition, Krumkake, just to name a few.
Decorating for Christmas
Of course we decorate for Christmas! We turn the Christmas music on and get in the spirit of Christmas the first week of December and decorate the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, including some homemade ornaments we’ve made each year. Idea: Decorate the kids rooms too!
Christmas Charlie Brown
We always, always, always watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as play the Linus & Lucy song on our player piano. We watch other Christmas movies as well, but this one’s a given. We watch it every single year, and usually every week in the week’s leading up to Christmas, and after. Idea: Turn a movie into a scavenger hunt!
Of course we also have the family Christmases on Christmas Eve and Day and the days after.
As you can see, we’re pretty laid back during the holiday season. We continue with the messiness of crafts and activities as usual through the holiday season.
My husband and I are both self-employed. We don’t have any holiday work parties to attend and get all dolled up for. We’re always found in our casual clothes so that it’s okay to get messy and lounge around.
But it is fun to dress up for the family Christmases!
10 family Christmas traditions other families are doing:
- Christmas Countdown with Books from 3 Dinosaurs
- Handmade Christmas Cards Tradition from True Aim Education.
- Elf on the Shelf from East Coast Mommy
- Writing a Letter to Santa from East Coast Mommy
- Advent calendars from Planet Smarty
- Rice Crispie candy houses from The Chaos and the Clutter
- An empty box for holiday memories from Sostrene Grene
- Go on Christmas dates from Every Star is Different
- Write a letter to your child from VeryWell Family
- “We go to Christmas Eve mass then out for a fancy dinner. When we get home, the kids open one present from Mom & Dad and put on new Christmas PJs. Then my husband reads The Night Before Christmas as their bedtime story. In the morning, we have cinnamon rolls and listen to Christmas music while we open presents.” – Laura of Sunny Day Family
What family Christmas traditions do you have? How do you dress up for the holidays?
Bonus! Share what you think: Is it better to give or to receive?
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Shevela says
Great ideas and happy birthday birthday twin!!! My birthday is also on the 4th !!! Happy holidays!!
Erica says
A large retailer in Melbourne, Vic, Australia, does Christmas windows with puppets, music and all sorts. A new story every year.
Being Aussie, we also like to wander the streets on a warm night and look at the Christmas lights (although daylight saving can make it hard for little ones to stay awake!)
Ruth M. says
I love to give rather than receive! My favorite tradition that relates to this is giving my daughter a new Christmas book on Christmas Eve… and then we put the tree lights on and read them all aloud. She has six of these books now, and yes, we read them all!
Candice says
Sent a tweet.
Candice says
We get together with extended family on Christmas morning to open presents.
CD says
https://twitter.com/knit1coffee2/status/550824634799898625
CD says
We eat lots of food, watch movies and open presents.
Ani W says
We always, always, always buy a new Christmas DVD and watch it Christmas Eve. This year we bought Once upon a Mickey Christmas.
Vicki Howes says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/323myrtle/status/550807500136935425
The best is after the holidays is giving
Vicki Howes says
I love to give and receive a smile #JustGotJingled
Jodi says
We eat, open presents and then all play games as a family.
Karen D says
We usually keep things pretty casual for the holidays. I remember my Grandmother insisting on it, but fell by the wayside in later years.
Jerry Marquardt says
Happy New Year!
claire says
we dress warmly lol. and our biggest tradition is baking cookies for santa.
Buddy Garrett says
WE choose and cut a tree to decorate. We watch Christmas movies and have a Christmas day dinner with family.
Jessica Page says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/MelissaShirley2/status/550776592671064064
Melissa Shirley says
We go to my grandmothers every Christmas eve and eat and exchange gifts and eat, and pick names for next years Christmas and eat.
Crystal Rose says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/tlittlegreenden/status/550774470277742593
Crystal Rose says
We wear comfy clothes or Christmas pjs on Christmas.
Jessica Page says
I used to always bake sugar cookies with my mom! We still do – baking sugar cookies and decorating them as we decorate the tree!
JESSICA C says
We always bake cookies for Santa as a family. It s afun thing my girls love
Connie Tucker says
Always better to give, really warms the heart.
Tammy Darling says
We get together to visit, play games, and eat!
Dana says
We love doing an Advent wreath through the month of December. We also play lots of Christmas music! Hubs and I don’t dress up, but the kids get Christmas sweaters.
Vicki D. says
We keep our Christmas low key and comfortable. We have a good meal with everybody bringing something. We exchange small gifts. The idea is to spend quality time together during the holidays. I usually make cookies and let the younger kids frost them. They really enjoy that.
Jessica Rolfes says
Drive around looking at all the Christmas lights.
Angela P. says
https://twitter.com/angelatrenna/status/550709138922037248
Angela P. says
It’s always better to give than receive. My favorite part of Christmas is making homemade treats and gifts with my kids for them to give as gifts.
Kathryn C says
hi, the BlogHer brand page says this giveaway/promotion runs until 12/31/15- or do they mean 12/31/14? either way this Blog shows that it ends today 1/1/15- so I’m a bit confused
Kathryn C
[email protected]
Jane H says
Tradition…my husband has always read the Night Before Christmas to the children. At first it was accompanied by milk but now that hey are grown , the beverage of choice is wine and perhaps some formula for the next generation.
darby says
https://twitter.com/DarbysDailyDeal/status/550703653364170752
darby says
It really depends on what you are giving or recieving!
Becky Moore says
I’d rather give….I love to surprise people not only at Christmas but through the year.
Kat Emerick says
I would take my granddaughter out and go shopping for her.
Jennifer Barr says
we decorate the tree together as well as make sugar cookies
Tim Moss says
I guess it depends on your point of view. Both have their pros & cons.
Rosey says
I Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/550677215894306817
Rosey says
We get the tree from the tree farm, and decorate it together. We also do the stockings, putting the family favorites in each. We open gifts on Christmas Eve. Santa comes Christmas morning and leaves one unwrapped gift for the little. We dress casually if we’re home, more dressy if we’re going out.
Kathy Pease says
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/550645518867517441
Kathy Pease says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/Vergingon40/status/550643927183663104
Karen Mead says
Decorate the tree together.
Kathy Pease says
I would rather give it leaves you with the best feeling :)
Karen Drake says
Our tradition is to gather and Grandma’s house (me) on Christmas Eve to open presents and watch Christmas movies, some years we dress up but this year we just wore Christmas decorated sweaters and tee shirts.
Donna L. says
My favorite tradition is one that I started 30 years ago. I have four daughters ranging in age from 25 to 35yo.
When the girls were young they would open all of their gifts Christmas morning not really appreciating the thoughtfulness that went into their gifts from their sisters. I began Sister Night. Christmas Eve they open their gifts to one another. I enjoy this more than they do !
Now, they make dinner together, each one contributing to it. Then it is time to open presents, followed by dessert.
Stephanie Galbraith says
We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and we all get all dressed up.
denise a says
we like baking together as a family at Christmas
Lisa says
We bake snowball cookies on Christmas Eve while watching Lifetime Christmas movies. We get together with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I dress in jeans and a nice top.
Cheryl A. says
I think that it’s always better to give.
Michelle C says
Tweet: http://twitter.com/MrsMChappell/status/550474732437786624
Michelle C says
Our favorite tradition is having each kid choose a special ornament for the year. It is especially nice when we unpack them each year and place them on the tree. It always brings back such great memories.
mickeyfan says
I get together with my daughter and 3 of her friends and have a baking frenzy one Sat in Dec. So much fun! We also hang the advent calendar my grandma made the kids over 30 years ago.
kittyfrog says
We bake cookies and watch favorite movies! We don’t really dress up,.
Lisa Garner says
We always get all the cousins together right before Christmas to bake and decorate Christmas cookies together.
laurie murley says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/lmurley2014/status/550456592605274112
laurie murley says
i think it better to give
sarah hirsch says
it is great to give AND receive – you can’t have one without the other
Jimmy says
I think it is better to give.
Sherrie K. says
My mom was the best Southern cook in the whole wide world!!! Each holiday I pull out all of her cake and pie recipes and try to duplicate those tasty dishes as best as I can. They’re not quite the same as hers but I think she would approve if she were alive .
Amie George says
Our family picks a country every Christmas and we do our dinner in cuisine from that country.. We started this because having turkey and ham twice in a month was just too much for us
Tina Reynolds says
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/550430518592806912
Tina Reynolds says
We always get new pjs on christmas eve this year got the kids all minion themed ones.
Megan A says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/AMileWideSmile/status/550424497526820864
Megan A says
My family has pulled pork sammies and all the fixings for a laid back lunch, jammies included :)
Cynthia C says
Our tradition involves preparing and enjoying all the traditional foods.
cynthia Dawson says
I love to spend time with my family!
Bruce says
Big dinner on Christmas Eve then church
paige chandler says
Our family trims the tree with popcorn every Christmas Eve
Cathy Truman says
We love to take names from the Angel Tree and purchased clothes and toys
for the name of the angels we took.
Terri Moore says
This tweet is the right one. https://twitter.com/Moore30Terri/status/550399288480526337
nicole m. says
They’re both equally as fun. I love giving presents, but it’s also fun to get them, too.
#JustGotJingled
nicole m. says
I love listening to Mannheim Steamroller music while decorating the tree. #JustGotJingled
Linda G. says
I would rather give than to receive.
Kathy Anderson says
I love decorating sugar cookies with the kiddos.
Stephanie Larison says
We always decorate sugar cookies with the girls a few days before Christmas. They love it, lol as messy as it can be. I dress up in comfy jeans and my fave boots.
Stephanie Colvin says
We love Christmastime! We watch all the family Christmas movies, bake, decorate, snuggle, and go out and look at all the decorated homes.
Tracy Heyer says
Baking cookies and spending time with family seeing the lights!
Patricia Murray says
We hang up decorations with our granddaughter and watch her face as we turn on the Christmas lights!
Debbi Wellenstein says
It is always better to give, as your generosity usually comes back to you!
Chi Shannon says
tweeted :) – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/550334829217054722
Chi Shannon says
One of my favorite holiday traditions is when we pack up in the car close to Christmas and drive around town, looking at all the lights and decorations that people have put up :)
No special dress ups tho’, except for “warm” :)
nickie says
https://twitter.com/NICKIEISIS3/status/550327734535487488
nickie says
baking cookies with family
Cheryl B. says
I love spending time with family and friends.
anita says
We dress up in our pajamas and the family tradition is simple, to watch a movie together.
Naomie says
We make hot cocoa and cookies and hop in the van to go see Christmas lights.
Melissa says
To give, i love all the smiles and how happy it makes them!
debbie says
tweet: https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/550316676328067072
debbie says
We do have quite a few traditions but, like you, we try to keep them simple. We try to prepare food ahead of time so we can focus on just being together.
Christina Moore says
Giving takes the cake. I love the feeling of watching someone get really happy and excited when they open a heartfelt/homemade gift. I think for adults it reminds us of childhood, and the magic of Christmas morning.
Tari Lawson says
One of our traditions is hopping in the car, putting on Christmas music and heading out to view the local light displays.
david cosgrove says
Watching Scrooged is a tradition with me and my son now
joni says
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/550246563847479297
joni says
On Christmas morning we put a lit candle in a cupcake and place it in front of the manger and sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus.
joni says
In our jammies!
Aaron says
No family traditions =/
Wehaf says
We don’t really dress up, but we have fun decorating the tree and eating Christmas Eve dinner.
Erica B. says
We watch movies together…I don’t really get dressed up.
Dawn S. says
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/dsickles87/status/550143950271442946
Dawn S. says
It’s so much better to give, especially during the Christmas season!
Sandra Jensen says
Love the family time at Christmas! We have a smaller Penny’s store in town. I bought my husband a beautiful dress shirt there for Christmas this year.
Leela says
It’s always better to give.
Tabathia B says
I love spending time with extended family. I love wearing jeans, boots and an off shoulder sweater
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Christy Caldwell says
Every year we watch Charlie Brown Christmas and make sausage balls.
janetfaye says
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/550122637884940288
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
janetfaye says
Our family tradition is to have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, when we also open gifts.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Ed says
I heart to give.
Cori Westphal says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/status/550098598977744896
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cori Westphal says
One tradition we have is every year I take a pic of the kids and then let them make an ornament with it. It’s so fun to look back at how much their creativity has grown over the years!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Allie Sansing says
We go low key, snack food, movies and Phase 10!
elfette says
family gathers on christmas day for games, food and presents
nice outfit … maybe something you got the year before
bring in the new year happy and safe
Glenna F says
I tweeted – https://twitter.com/gfaccenetti/status/550083527702618112
Ronalee Duncan says
link to my twitter post. https://twitter.com/RonaleeAKArose/status/550081765981696000
ronalee duncan says
The only tradition that we really have is singing Christmas songs while we decorate the tree.
Lynne says
We have the tradition of spending as much time as we can playing board games and card games together. We don’t particularly dress in any one way…. although we do try to wear shirts with a bit of a holiday design – or at the very least has some red or green in it!
Carolyn Gates says
We have an advent calendar, working up to baby Jesus’ birth that we read each little book each night and hang them on the tree. We make lots of candies and cookie to give out to family members. My kids love helping make the candies
I believe that I love to give rather than to receive. I love to see peoples faces when they open up their presents. So much fun #JustGotJingled
Sandy Klocinski says
https://twitter.com/Attea2d/status/550068103036829697
Sandy Klocinski says
Go sledding, ice skating, or other outdoor winter activity with my family. A great time time to schedule this is on Christmas day, after the gifts are opened, the meal is eaten, and everyone is getting antsy from being inside.
Lisa V. says
We go to Denny’s for dinner after mass on Christmas eve.
Robin says
We like to decorate the tree with my son.
Norma says
On Christmas Eve we watch a Christmas Story :)
LAMusing says
We bake cinnamon rolls and play holiday music on Christmas morning while we open our socks!
lisa bolduc says
We decorate the tree together as a family. This year we started a new tradition of making a gingerbread house on xmas eve
tammy harrison says
here is my twitter link: https://twitter.com/TammyHarrison19/status/549921811178086400
tammy harrison says
I love decorating cookies with my mom the eve of Christmas Eve, the church service Christmas Eve and then visiting friends and family and delivering some tasty treats!
janie baumer says
We start decorating on Thanksgiving when everyone is here. Bake cookies and make fudge together. Get together on Christmas eve to spend time together. Eat and have a great time
Crystal Sell says
We bake holiday treats together as our tradition. I just wear something comfortable but dressy. Casual with a little sparkle!
cole says
we don’t really have traditions, sadly. I like to wear a nice top and boots!
Gale says
Singing carols before bedtime was one we’ve done for a while, but this year we read a Christmas book in stead…a chapter a night (one I had read as a Child…Treasures of the Snow).
chris says
I prefer to give than receive, giving is fun.
Alayne Langford says
I tweeted via @AlayneLangford https://twitter.com/AlayneLangford/status/549833192396836868
Alayne Langford says
On Christmas Eve, our 5 kids visit with their “partners” and our new little grandchild and we put on our paper hats from our Christmas Crackers! We order in Chinese Food (no cooking) and then we watch old VHS tapes of our kids when they were younger and have a good belly laugh. We dress casual so that we can play board games, sing karaoke or dance a jig! We have a lot of fun!!
stacey b says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/aMomOfBoys/status/549797729426104320
stacey b says
I don’t really dress up fancy or anything, I just wear a nice shirt and some jeans, but I dress my kids up a bit with cute Christmas outfits! One of our traditions is to bake on Christmas Eve!
Gina H. says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/GinaHull2/status/549785625428099073
gina says
my 4 year olds birthday is december 16, so our tradition has been to put the tree up on that day and he loves it.
Gina H. says
Our tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve.
sherri crawford says
our tradition is opening presents on christmas eve so the one on christmas morning is from santa
Susan Campbell says
Your recipe for Peanut Butter Cups sound delish and sooo easy. I have everything in the house right now, I’ll be making them in the morning!!!
Susan Campbell says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/susiegalore/status/549742927274995712
Sharon Bertolio says
Every year I get my kids a new ornament, just like my parents and grandparents did for me. When we decorate the tree no one but you gets to put up “your” ornaments.
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/549741996835737601
kjasus says
i love dressing up for christmas eve church service
Sara Theissen says
Our Christmas tradition is eating breakfast after opening gifts
Sherry says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/Babypop/status/549674830597869570
Sherry says
I love the gift of giving this is a great idea by jcpenny
Traci bender says
Thanks
Jen says
caroling, gingerbread houses, reading scriptures, advent calenders, the tree, family recipes….we love christmas over here!
Carmen N says
I can’t believe we forgot to make Krumkake this year! I always make homemade caramels – my in-laws won’t let me in the house without them (I *think* they’re kidding..)
Lisa Hollinger Barto says
We Bake cookies together, do a gingerbread house, Watch christmas movies together, do christmas crafts and make a big dinner on christmas eve.
Wendy S. says
One of our girls’ favorite Christmas traditions is that they get to open one gift on Christmas Eve…and of course, it’s usually new pajamas. (One year it was fuzzy socks and they were a little disappointed that it wasn’t the usual pajamas.)
Wendy R. says
Tweet entry:
https://twitter.com/ArtsyChaos/status/549456618870431744
Wendy R. says
We don’t dress up for the holidays unless you count pajamas amongst dressing up. :) We always get new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
Donna says
We always clean out all of the things that we don’t need or no longer have a use for on the 31st and donate as much as we can on the first. It’s kind of like a shedding process.
Jenny Ham says
Tweeted @hamjenny
Jenny Ham says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/hamjenny/status/549439905240465408
Jenny Ham says
Always fun to get out several craft supplies around the holidays and let the kids do their own thing.
judy maharrey says
We always decorate our house up for the holidays. We start with the xhildren decorating the tree and then we let tgem decide how they will decorate thrir rooms.
Brooke says
I love giving! I never receive much and it never bothers me. I love spending my money on others
Kim Reid says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/kimbreid/status/549405893465354240
Kim Reid says
I would rather give than receive, always fun during the holidays with the children in the family!
Julie says
We have a ton of holiday baking traditions and always dress festively.
Kristin says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/kristinnw/status/549370700826284032
Brandi says
Please please
Laura Vaughter says
We don’t really have any traditions besides decorating the tree together and making Christmas cookies. I need to start some!!
Beth Hill says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/jbmthill/status/549313700616626176
Beth Hill says
Our family tradition is to attend 4pm Christmas eve mass as a family then go home to nice meal and play a game sitting around the table afterwards.
Stevie says
We always bake christmas cookies together as our tradition. Christmas music going, lots of chocolate. It’s the best! We don’t dress up for that though- only dress up on Christmas :)
Carmen Woody says
I love this site and all the good givaways
Elizabeth says
We like to make Christmas cookies from my mom’s and grandmother’s recipes. It’s a really fun tradition. We’re pretty casual with our clothes usually, but when we dress up we tend coordinate in our colors. :)
Lynne M says
Going to Christmas eve mass and having a family dinner.
Margaret Yani says
Christmas Eve snacks and the Night Before Christmas
Brenda Haines says
Here’s my tweet :) https://twitter.com/TheHippieHut/status/549222005153599488
sue v says
great giveaway.. decorating the tree is our tradition
Brenda Haines says
We go see the lights at Shore Acres, Oregon every year and where our Santa hats. Happy holidays! :)
Christina Riggs says
Beautiful traditions! Mine are baking cookies, decorating the house!
Kimberley Meier says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/MRSMEIER5627/status/549094199413334016
Kimberley Meier says
I like giving over receiving. I try to put thought into gifts because I want people to know how much they mean to me.
Lynn C says
I tweeted! Happy New Year to all!
https://twitter.com/LostLenore1970/status/549093047103782914
Lynn C says
Our family keeps it casual but meets up at the eldest member’s house for a gift exchange. At my age (44), I can honestly say it’s just as much fun to give as it is to receive, but I’m sure the little ones are understandably more excited about new toys than buying or making gifts.
#JustGotJingled
Emily says
We always make gingerbread and sugar cookies and decorate them all!! The kids love it.
Robin says
My mom and my siblings open our presents from each other on Christmas Eve then go to my grandmother’s on Christmas Day to open presents from the rest of the family. Then we have the Christmas dinner later that night. We wear pretty much whatever-usually something festive. I tend to wear a Santa hat.
Katrina says
I tweeted at: https://twitter.com/KatBrockavich/status/549069655529500672
Katrina says
We don’t have many traditions, but we always watch its a wonderful life.
Mrsbrockavich48 (at)gmail.com
Samantha says
We celebrate by spending time with family. I do a combination of comfy, simple, and sparkly. Usually comfy, cute jeans, top, and boots – with sparkly makeup and accessories – sparkling earrings, leopard scarf, and shimmer makeup this year.
Michelle Levine says
We always open out presents at midnight
Melissa Douglass says
We give each other pjs on Christmas Eve and we also started Elf On A Shelf this year!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
https://twitter.com/iammeuc/status/549046542733041664
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
I don’t really get dressed up for the holidays but we do have a few traditions like seeing the lights in Brea and Candlelight Christmas Eve service.
Tammy S says
Tweet link
https://twitter.com/CouponTammy/status/549044445073518594
Tammy S says
We have several Christmas traditions. One of ours is to put the tree up the weekend after Halloween. We love to turn on the Christmas music and decorate the whole house. Another one is we go downtown and watch the Christmas Ships. It’s a blast watching all the boats go up and down the river all decorated. As far as dressing up goes we are on the casual side. We like to be comfortable and stylish. One of the reasons I love shopping at JC Penney.
Dawn Curtis says
We always have a glass of eggnog when we return from midnight mass on Christmas Eve. We are all wearing out holiday themed clothes.
Lee Broom says
Our tradition is to open one present on Christmas Eve, and also watch as many Christmas movies as we can all December. My daughter has a Christmas movie collection. It’s fun to look for new ones every year.
Lee Broom says
It’s definitely more fun to give! I love watching everyone open gifts I’ve gotten for them.
Ashley R. says
My tweet: https://twitter.com/acrenn1/status/549031400637485056
(I tried posting a comment, but something strange happened and someone else’s name and e-mail popped up and said it was in moderation? If it doesn’t post successfully, I said that my family’s only tradition is getting together for the holidays and how I’d like to start my own candy-making tradition.)
Ashley R. says
We don’t have any set traditions since the family has gone through some rather crazy and trying times these past few years. We just try our very best to spend time together during Christmas! I love the candy-making that you wrote about. I am moving away from my family for a job, and I would like to start a candy-making tradition of my own. :-)
Mary karas says
Dress code is casual for our Christmas celebrations. Our traditions are pretty simple, but we love them. The Friday after Thanksgiving my husband and I along with our children and their families go Christmas tree shopping at a cut your own farm. We oooh and ahhh over each others trees, hug and kiss goodbye and head to our homes to decorate them. A week later we do a little round robin type thing so we can see each others works of art.
Terry Cross says
Going to my in-laws for dinner on Christmas day is our tradition. We don’t dress up.
Heather D says
Hi! I tweeted about the post at: https://twitter.com/melikesgarfield/status/549011607045423105
Heather D says
We always have a big Christmas day get together with a big food feast. It ends with a very competitive game of Gin Rummy. Most of us dress up a bit. I have a red long-sleeve shirt I’ve been wearing the last few years that is also now a “tradition”.
Katherine Riley says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/justwin4once/status/549009356285423616
Katherine Riley says
We get together with our sons, daughter in laws and granddaughters at the local Waffle House for Christmas morning breakfast (this year there was 13 of us, next year there will be 15!!!). We usually don’t dress up besides Christmasy wear or red or green outfits.
Jen H says
Lots of traditions. Watching Christmas specials on TV, like A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Grinch…, Ruldolph…, etc. Visiting small village shops. Baking cookies. Decorating the house and tree. Going out to look at light displays. The list goes on.
Murry says
We make homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas eve for eating on Christmas morning.
Richard Corkum says
Thank You All
Rebecca C. says
My Mum used to wake us up every Christmas by singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas. My Dad would read the Christmas story from the Bible and then he would pass out presents. Then Mum would make a huge breakfast and we’d spend the rest of the day (until our big Christmas dinner) playing with our presents and stay in our Christmas PJs. Many Christmases we went to a movie after dinner.
linda w. says
My daughter and i always spend quality time the weekend before Christmas baking tons on cookies to give out to friends and family.
Cathy says
we do the 12 Days of Christmas for each other. Just a fun little sussie gift for each other leading up to Christmas.
Barbara Adams says
The Christmas Pickle…is hidden on the tree and the lucky soul that locates it will receive a goofy prize. I find the kids looking for the pickle before tearing into their gifts from Santa
Shannon h says
Two traditions I can think of are giving kids a new ornament each year and also driving around to look at Christmas lights.
Christy says
We always dress up and go to my parents for Christmas Eve dinner, after dinner my mom always reads us the bible about the real meaning of Christmas and we all sing Christmas carols. Then we all exchange gifts. Been a family tradition for almost 40 years!
Alexandra K says
What family Christmas traditions do we have? We always go to the same places (Christmas breakfast at the in-laws is my favorite breakfast ever!) and make cookies with the family but we like to switch up a lot too, like where we buy our tree, how much or little we decorate.
How do we dress up for the holidays? Sometimes I encourage festive colors, but always comfy/casual. Sometimes I encourage jammies. This year, everyone but me wore their pjs, and I wore jeans and sparkly shirts!
Adriane says
We are mostly in our pjs on Christmas Day actually! We open gifts first and then I make breakfast!
Kelly D. says
We have always let the kids open one present on Christmas eve after dinner Just like my parents did with their kids.
Jake B says
We bake cookies as a family, it’s called Cookie Day :)
Jake B says
I tweeted :) https://twitter.com/gc13182/status/548886255715749888
Michele Cupp says
My son gets a new tree ornament each year on Christmas eve in his stocking…an ornament that represents something significant from his life during that year, then he gets to add it to the tree. As for giving or receiving, I much prefer giving! #JustGotJingled
Michele Cupp says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/MtnDew_Addict/status/548881085250420739
Lyndsey R. says
2 traditions we have are I make a family recipe lasagna every Christmas Eve for dinner & let my son open 1 present on Christmas Eve evening.
lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com
Julie Waldron says
Tweeted https://twitter.com/farmermomwife/status/548862455019880448
Julie Waldron says
We have several family traditions…one I started a few years ago is we have Overnight French Toast for breakfast Christmas morning. I don’t dress up for the holidays….I just wear jeans & a nice sweater.
Debbie Welchert says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/flipper211/status/548855310396317697
Kat Nett says
I TWEETED : https://twitter.com/Katnett63/status/548854951133601792
Debbie Welchert says
We love to spend time together as a family and make cookies. We dress in whatever is comfortable and the kids wear their pajamas.
Kat Nett says
We get together and give special thanks to our Savior, each one expressing their thanks and gratitude, We dress up for church and dress for fun with the family and cousins afterwards !
Tina Taylor says
Hope you pick me
Danielle Papsis says
https://twitter.com/PapsisBeavers/status/548844566795673602
Danielle Papsis says
We have dinner with my Dad on Christmas Eve. I try to dress in red but comfortable.
Rhonda Grisham says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/trrg12/status/548799022777901056
Rhonda Grisham says
We do dress up for the holidays. My grandkids wear their finest and always look soooo adorable :)
katherine tino says
Every year the kids open 1 present on Christmas Eve & it’s always pajamas. They know what they’re opening but they still love it.
Stacie says
New Christmas pjs and an ornament every year on Christmas Eve.
Judy W says
We get up early on Christmas morning and open presents then have cinnamon rolls or biscuits and chocolate gravy for breakfast. Then at noon the grandparents come over to have Christmas dinner with us and we open more presents.
Tara Liebing says
tweeted https://twitter.com/deallieb/status/548678409014882304
Tara Liebing says
I feel it is better to give, but as a single mom it would feel good if someone came up to me and bought my son something. I believe what goes around comes around or pay it forward. #JustGotJingled
Tara Liebing says
My son and I celebrate Christmas by putting on some Christmas music and decorate the house and tree. Then we bake some treats like molasses cookies and sugar cookies and we go to my parents house for Christmas Day.
Kalani says
Love to dress up with my family- color palette & then each does it in their own way. We have lots of little traditions from going to see lights to an advent calendar… fun.
Edmond says
Wow, prize JC penny gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Our%205%20Simple%20Family%20Christmas%20Traditions%20%2B%20Yours&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhandsonaswegrow.com%2Ffamily-christmas-traditions%2F&via=handsonaswegrow
Kathleen Richardson says
My children and I bake every year for our family. It creates a mess but it is a lot of fun.
Terri Morgan says
I miss the days of Christmas crafts and making candy and cookies with my kids.
Terri Morgan says
When my kids were small, we would make Christmas crafts and candies together. I sure do miss that.
Sandra davis says
https://twitter.com/jayboski37/status/548605634208628736
Sandra davis says
we love doing x mas crafts
Connie says
I tweeted.
Connie says
I tweeted
Connie says
We open up a small gift on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas day we open the rest of our gifts. It’s like having two Christmases in a row! We wear our casual hang-around-the-house clothes during these times.
Cassie Korando says
We always go as a family and pick out and cut down our own Christmas tree. We also bake and decorate our own sugar cookies! There’s no specific dress code for anything though.
Cassie Korando says
We always go as a family and pick out and cut down our own Christmas tree. We also bake and decorate sugar cookies! There’s not specific way we dress for the holidays, except when we go out on a bus for our annual ugly Christmas sweater party!
Jessica Padilla says
We drink hot chocolate by the fireplace and wear pj’s Christmas morning.
MaryAnn says
Tweeted the giveaway
https://twitter.com/cochran_maryann/status/548566840343924736
MaryAnn says
My husbands family celebrates christmas on Christmas eve. They make finger foods and chili and then everyone gets together to open presents and then play games.
Niekka McDonald says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/mommywithaplan/status/548565120310603776
Shari says
Really don’t have any Christmas traditions. We just eat, talk, and then watch movies. Sometimes we all wear Christmas colors.
jenn giannetto says
we typically stay close to home and will visit with my brother who lives in town. we stay in pj’s most of the day.
Deana Stephens says
We stay in our pj’s, bake cookies & watch Christmas movies!
Cathy Philipps says
We find different ornaments that fit each person in the family and add them to our tree
Katy M says
I usually dress up a little, a nice pair of pants or skirt and a blouse or sweater. Everyone on my husband’s side wears their PJs and commented on our nicer clothes. I prefer to dress up and take nice pictures, plus I’m not going to wear PJs out of the house :)
We have a lot of simple traditions, prepare the food together, watch ELF, read the Christmas story, and have cinnamon rolls and apple cider
Katy M says
https://twitter.com/kaheys/status/548529335850651649
Laura Royal says
We dress up for the annual picture in front of the Christmas tree and we have a holiday bake-off tradition that’s a lot of fun!
Dorothy Whelchel says
We always read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve. Of course I know it by heart now. This is a great giveaway. I have a JCPenny’s right across the street.
Veronica says
Our kids create a ornament every year. We move often because of my husband’s military career. The ornaments help us remember exactly where we were, that year for Christmas. There are so many fond memories of the many places we have lived and this is just one more way of cherishing these rare and moments with our family.
Larry Paquette says
Being with family is all that matters at Christmas.
Sabrina Meras says
My family likes to create a new ornament every year representing themselves!! By far hands down it feels sooo much better to give all year long whenever your blessed with the opportunity!!! #justgotjingled
Shane R. says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/shanerus2/status/548384892099125248
Shane R. says
I started a tradition with my grandma last year. I made her an advent calendar and now we do it together each year. We also use it for a decoration on the mantle. Sometimes I dress up and sometimes I dress casual. It all depends on where I’m heading.
Adrienne says
We get extra rest and enjoy holiday snacks.
M.Clark says
#JustGotJingled I think both giving and receiving are great. There;s always a rush of excitement when you’re unwrapping a gift, wondering what it is. And there is also a rush of excitement when you get someone a gift and you know it’s something that they will really like.
M.Clark says
We usually have a turkey dinner with all the fixings. I don’t dress up for the holidays, nothing special.
golden storm says
I would like to win so I can buy myself some new towels for the family and maybe a new top for myself,,good luck everyone!!
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/548350626397028352
amy pugmire says
I love to take family pictures every year in somewhat coordinating outfits we also do breakfast with santa every year.
Seyma Shabbir says
We don;t have a special dress. We love to decorate cookies and play board or card games.
#JustGotJingled
Lori A. says
https://twitter.com/ljatwood/status/548338578405593088
Rachel jenkins says
Tweeted! This would be a blessing to win :D
https://twitter.com/3024_jenkins/status/548333220752683009
adina says
we dont celebrate christmas but we do dress up for chanukah, especially the parties!
Teressa Morris says
Our favorite Christmas tradition is going to church on Christmas Eve and then driving around looking at Christmas lights.
Lisa Aliperti says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/MkayAliMom/status/548319518573871104
Mary Beth Elderton says
#JustGotJingled I love to find just the right gift to give!
Lisa Aliperti says
I always enjoy giving more than receiving. I already have all I need so why not help others.
Mary Beth Elderton says
Hey…That comment is supposed to be in my name! *sigh*
Lisa Aliperti says
#justgotjingled
Lori A. says
Our traditions had to be tweaked a bit when I had to go back to work 3 years ago. But we still go to Mass on Christmas Eve and then the kids get to open one gift, which is always new pj’s and we eat dinner (Chinese take out this year!) while watching a movie together.
Julie Matek says
Traditions we do are driving around looking at lights& baking christmas cookies. I dress in jeans & a dressy shirt
Julie Matek says
I feel that it’s better to give;)
christine burd says
I think giving gives a person such a rush .It ‘s so wonderful to feel that you have done something good for someone else
Jen Haile says
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/XArea51/status/548295489066524672
Jen Haile says
I Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/XArea51/status/548295489066524672
Jen Haile says
We stay home with family in our PJ’s!
Rhonda Breeding says
We love going on Christmas light drives and getting all dressed up for church on Christmas Eve. PJ the Elf brings new pajamas while we’re at church and it’s a favorite with the kids.
robyn donnelly says
https://twitter.com/amberpaleface/status/548276947818930178 amberpaleface This is what I tweeted for the contest. email: [email protected]
robyn donnelly says
I like low key and very comfortable just because it allows you to relax and enjoy yourself.
Cyndi Valerino says
Traditions that we keep are mostly in our Christmas dinner menu.
Monica says
My family also likes to keep it low key when celebrating. My favorite part would be making the sweets with the kids! :)
meredith says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mermont84/status/548246624061767680
meredith says
We have christmas PJs!
sandy weinstein says
https://twitter.com/evietressa/status/548240043140464641, tweeted answer, better to give however, i like to receive but i always give more than i receive by far..most of the time i never receive.
sandy weinstein says
i dont dress now since it is just me and my 3 4 legged dogs, however, when i was younger, it was a big deal to get dressed up for the holidays, got new outfits. our family celebrated Hanukkah and the high holly days. my mom was big on dressing up, which is why i am amazed when i go to services or other churches and see people dressed so casually …one yr i got new coat, boots, and several outfits to all coordinate w/ everything…my mom was a real dresser and clothes horse.
Ty says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/poisonsix9/status/548219571262722050
Ty says
My daughters and I bake goodies on Christmas Eve to deliver to older relatives on Christmas day.
AndreaH says
Tweeted about the post here:
https://twitter.com/andreacouponz/status/548218834734170113
AndreaH says
For Christmas, we usually dress in comfort. I’m not super picky because it’s a day to relax and enjoy family. One tradition we have that I continued from when I was a child is that we make cookies Christmas Eve and the kids get to decorate them. We set aside a few specially decorated ones for Santa. When we were younger we also made homemade tamales on Christmas Eve. I miss that tradition so might incorporate it next year into our traditions now.
Hannah says
Our family just opens presents, have a turkey dinner, and watch the Christmas Story
Linda Wheeler says
I love all the greAt holiday ideas here… Will keep this for making memories next year!
Lisa Dorsett says
We are home for the holidays. Having a nice, quiet family day!! Thanks for the awesome contest!!
Chrystal J. says
I always cook Christmas dinner with my mother. We also decorate the house together.
Jeana O'donnell-Murphy says
We keep it very low key and comfortable! We like to make cookies and fudge and we usually like to bake ham or a roast or sometimes do something completely different.
gina lopez says
Our family tradition is kids make table decorations while we get the cooking done..This would be awesome to buy some much needed household needs. I tweeted as well . ty for the chance https://twitter.com/insightfulheart/status/548184161149022208
nicole says
https://twitter.com/BTHM1/status/548171633354354689
tweeted
nicole says
we have many of the same traditions, also going to see the lights in our local park, sharing a festival day/tree lighting on the lakefront with friends, my daughter christmas dance performance and school concert, and playing Santa the sat. before christmas and delivering gifts to those we wont see on christmas day! we dress for christmas eve mass, but keep it Christmas Casual on christmas day!
Deb Johnson says
Our family tradition is for us to make a HUGE brunch, as a family, and sit down and talk about the importance of the season
Deb Johnson says
https://twitter.com/dnbinder3/status/548161419292573696 Tweeted
jm says
We have some of the same traditions.
Deb Johnson says
#JustGotJingled I love to give, but not just during the Christmas season. I give of my time, when I can, for animal rescue and children charities.
Dianne says
Would love to win JC Penny gift card.
Helena says
We don’t have traditions or dress up for the holidays. (This is my entry.)
kate d says
Our family tradition is getting together for Christmas Eve dinner. A new handmade ornament for the tree each year.
wilson king says
Love JC Penny.
jodi bradshaw says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/Jodi43344/status/548129992652386304
jodi bradshaw says
i make cookies/candy every year and send it off to my family since i live so far away! I also love to decorate my house. no little kids here so we don’t do much else.
Ashley Smith says
My family has the tradition to making a German chocolate three layer cake! We only make during this time of year for Christmas. And in my household we all dress up in our new or best outfits!
maleficent m says
we stay at home in our pjs and eat ham!
Lavonne Yates says
Merry Christmas!! Thank you for the chance to win.
Rakesh A says
Our’s is the traditional Christmas – set up the Christmas tree and on Christmas day, after getting up in the morning, rush downstairs in our PJs to see what gift we got
Rakesh A says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/rakd1234/status/548121283620507648
Paula V says
With no kiddos, we don’t have a lot of traditions. I usually buy eggnog the week of Cmas and drink on that all week. We sometimes attend Cmas Eve service. Then we just spend the day with family.
Paula V says
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/pvarble1/status/548105616732864512
Pamela Gurganus says
I tweeted about this promotion! https://twitter.com/PJGurganus/status/548099755394355200
Pamela Gurganus says
Everyone in my family is a foodie, so a lot of our Christmas traditions center around food! We have certain cookies, candies, breads and meat that only get made once a year and that’s for Christmas! Our other family Christmas traditions are we all gather at dad and mom’s on Christmas Eve. We eat homemade pizza on the fine china and drink sparkling juice out of the crystal glasses. Then we each get to open one gift. We play board games while listening to Christmas music and there’s always a big box of chocolates to snack on. We all sit down and read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas together. Santa stops by and tells the kids they need to get home and in bed and asleep before he can deliver their presents. Christmas morning after the individual families have had their Christmas together, we again gather at dad and mom’s for Christmas brunch. We snack, play and nap all day long! And we don’t dress up at any point! In fact, most of us wear our PJ’s the entire time! :)
Julie Murphy says
We always watch Elf, A Christmas Story and make cookies.
Lisa Brown says
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/548069789277491200
Lisa Brown says
i do not have any traditions at the moment; don’t dress up or go our for the holidays, stay home and just enjoy the day.
ken ohl says
Love this terrific I’m going to also try and make gifts instead of buying everything.
Natalie U says
It’s always better to give than receive…I actually feel a little weird getting gifts!
Natalie U says
We don’t really have any Christmas traditions that we follow unfortunately…maybe saying a prayer before our holiday meal…we always dress down and comfortable
Daraya says
https://twitter.com/DarayaJ/status/547939739727167489
Daraya says
I think it is better to give than to receive! I love knowing that I can make someone smile with a gift or card! :)
Ash says
Traditionally some of us sing in the Christmas choir for midnight mass. It’s so fun. Then we gather the next morning.
Connie says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/rosewopuppy/status/547929440928284672
Ash says
https://twitter.com/leighash222/status/547929717626912768
Connie says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/rosewopuppy/status/547929440928284672
Connie says
We are very low key and comfortable in our pjs as we open one small gift Christmas Eve. Then Christmas day we open the rest of the gifts and the stockings. That way we feel like we’ve had 2 Christmases in a row!
Shannon says
Well. I try to make new ornaments for my tree each year, and I put it up early so I enjoy it longer. I make my dog and my mom’s doggies pupcakes or dog biscuits. I make sure to give away handmade jewelry to strangers to cheer them up. I have my mom over for Christmas Eve.
Shannon says
https://twitter.com/pumpkinsfan1976/status/547913179141926913
Not So Average Mama says
The morning of Christmas Eve we have breakfast at my husbands grandmothers. After that we head to my parents. In the evening after dinner, each person is allowed to open one gift. For the little ones that usually means new pajamas. Then we watch A Christmas Story movie. Christmas Day we open presents, but we stay at home all day in our pjs and relax with our family.
Jess Buckley says
My holiday traditions include making cheesecake with my mom and going to my grandparents house for a visit. Usually I’ll wear an ugly christmas sweater to the festivities with some tall boots and leggings.
exaltedmt says
Yes around this time, I order a reindeer onesie from American Eagle and bother my friends with my dancing
https://twitter.com/Exaltedtm/status/547876526075559937
christine j says
I love the christmas tree ideas. so cute!
eyshon salahuddin says
Every Christmas eve I buy my children new pajamas(with footsies) and we all sleep in the same room.
Soo says
I tweeted – https://twitter.com/jltsmommy/status/547829502664257536
Soo says
We always bake and decorate cookies on Christmas Eve.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/546783773644173312
Susan Smith says
It’s better to receive. My favorite tradition is driving around looking at Christmas lights.
LaTanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/545603348796174336
LaTanya says
It is better to give
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/545415945917714432
Madeline says
Our traditions have changed over the years, but lately we have Christmas lunch at our house with all of the family.
melinda says
We have several traditions. Mother’s of multiples Christmas Santa breakfast. We go to a local pottery place and make a handptint/ foot print plate. We also go driving to look at Christmas lights. We like Macadenville, Christmas town USA. I make hand print ornaments here at home for extended family.
My boys are 2 do this year we went on the Polar Express. And will be making cookies (hopefully).
Renae says
Thank you so much for including one our our family traditions in your post! Happy belated birthday. I LOVE your new blog design!
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/543609645072261120
Kelly D says
We decorate the Christmas tree together, and on Christmas Eve we do a White Elephant Christmas exchange with extended family. I usually dress semi-casual, with a sweater and black dress pants.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/543389534323372032
Mami2jcn says
We make a gingerbread house #JustGotJingled
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/543250952631746560
Jessie C. says
We decorate our tree and baking sugar cookies together. For holidays I opt to comfy and casual look, usually sweaters and jeans.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
anna pry says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily2/status/543168370850295809 [email protected]
anna pry says
we always make popcorn garlands while watching classic Christmas movies together [email protected]
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/543119095692922880
Elle says
I don’t usually dress up special – I wear a pretty casual classic/preppy look but I like to wear night jewelry and do my makeup well.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/543089334472044544
Thomas Murphy says
My family takes an ugly Christmas sweater family photo. It’s a new tradition.
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/543082049452912641
Amanda Sakovitz says
We have a yankee swap. I usually wear yoga pants and a sweater
Cori says
We open one present on Christmas Eve evening, and I still read the book Twas The Night Before Christmas. I also get my kids a jar of honey under their stocking, it was done for me every year growing up and still to this day from my parents. We also have a pickle ornament that someone gets to hide in the tree and whoever finds it is supposed to have good luck the rest of the year.
Ione says
When the holidays are over, I put all the Christmas books away. Our 5 yr old granddaughter couldn’t wait to get her old favorites out. Her favorite….the one that I had recorded for her. I bought another and we recorded it together.
Rose says
As children we had two traditions… First is that every year each child recieves an ornament that has their name and the year. At 46 I still get these ornaments from my mother every year they are different and frequently as children the represent something we were interested in. The year ET came out I got a Santa riding in a UFO. These ornaments became the basis of my personal tree when I moved out on my own. Our second tradition took lots of time, we made cookies then enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate Christmas Eve in our cookie party, the sugar crashes made us easier to put to bed. While I don’t continue the cookie parties I do continue the ornaments for my kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews as well as children who I associate closely with through out the year.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/542458385451323392
Tiffany L says
Christmas Tradition: Go to the Christmas eve church service @6, go home have hot coco and open 1 present. the next morning we open the rest of the gifts, we always have some toy that everyone gets nerf guns, remote control car, etc., and see who can out do the other.
Tamie says
Every year we have a small pickle ornament we hang on the tree first kid that finds it gets an extra special gift on Christmas.
Samantha says
Christmas traditions are very important in are home. I hope are children continue the same traditions with there families. Thanks for sharing with us at mommy needs a time out Thursday.
tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/542402555376975872
tina m says
we purchase same pj every Christmas and take a silly photo.
Christina Blanton says
Love family traditions.
Joyce says
We have an Under the Pillow gift tradition. A small wrapped gift is given to each child on Christmas eve and is placed under their pillow. Upon awakening they may open it but not go downstairs to see what Santa brought.
Karie says
Santa always brought my brother’s and I our own mini box of cereal in our stockings. I love this tradition and so I also did it with my kids, and now they do it with their kids too.
Chantelle Doll says
We unwrap a different Christmas book each night for the days in December leading up to Christmas. A visit to Santa at the mall is a must, as well as mailing a letter to the North Pole. We also started visiting the lights display at the zoo last year I hope to keep up as an annual tradition.
Liz says
My parents are Jewish (my mom) and Christian (my dad), and we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. On Christmas, we usually open presents, have a nice family meal, and see a movie at the theater.
Melissa M says
https://twitter.com/618mom23boys/status/541972305392328704
Melissa M says
It’s better to give, the feeling is 100x better!
Nicole D says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/541880317305307137
Nicole D says
Our family Christmas traditions include baking, collecting toys for toys for tots, sledding, and decorating.
D Schmidt says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/541790831447785472
D Schmidt says
Our favorite holiday tradition is to make Christmas cookies together while listening to Christmas music.
Kerry says
We always dress up on Christmas Eve for church. Other than that, we are pretty casual for the holidays. Our tradition is opening Christmas presents after mass on Christmas Eve.
debbie says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/541594556307746817
debbie says
One of our big traditions is to make dozens of different kinds of Christmas cookies. Then we put a huge platter of the assortment out at all of our holiday events.
We feel like giving is very important this season. Our family always sponsors local kids who need help getting Christmas presents.
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/541441735445188608
erica best says
we trim the tree and make christmas cookies
Rebecca says
We read Scripture before opening our presents.
rachel says
We always dress up for Christmas Eve church service!
Barb Fry says
I love your idea of making it simple! We have a family tradition which starts actually on Blaxk Friday. I do a sleepover with my grandchildren Thanksgiving night. The Black Friday we start out with fun shaped pancake breakfast then on to my basement to make a craft. And a Christmas present for their parents. This years craft was a big snowflake. I have Christmas lights and few decorations up to make it more festive and we play christmas music! We try to always make something on the grill for lunch so we can make Simores! Even if it rains or snows, it’s just fun! We finish up our Christmas present then watch a Christmas movie with hot chocolate w/marshmallows of course. The when the kids go home they each get their advent calendar! I have all the activities the same so when certain days come up we do the activities together. It is fun to be able to interact more than just on Christmas. We go caroling, help out at shelters send packages to soldiers. Go see Christmas lights…etc! I try to change things up each year! My children love it because it gives them time to do all that crazy Black Friday shopping and me special time with my grandchildren. We all love it! Thank you for sharing some great ideas I’ll use for next year! Tomorrow we all get together to bake cookies!! Happy Belated birthday and your candies look so yummy!
P.s. Enter me into the JC Penny sweepstakes…sounds fun!
Barb from PA
Jenn says
One tradition we do is a family stocking that we open on Christmas eve.
It has pajamas, snacks, a movie, a board game, etc. Pretty much everything we need for a great fun filled night!
Jessica B says
Our favorite Christmas tradition is putting the angel on the top of the tree. I used the same angel when I was a kid and I will pass this tradition down to my children.
Natalie says
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/540687635820597248
Natalie says
Our family gets a real Christmas tree every year and we spend hours decorating it as a family. We love to dress up for the holidays!
Bekki@a better way to homeschool says
I have to say I love the layout of your website! Did you do the changes yourself?
I love all of your Chrsitmas ideas! We love decorating, cookie baking, and going on nightly Christmas Light Walks. This year, I am hoping to kick off a new tradition with the kids. I want us to come up with several ideas for Random Acts of Kindness and spend a few days just blessing others: hiding dollars in the dollar store, taping candy canes to ATM machines, buying groceries and leaving them on someone’s doorstep, etc. I saw this on a blag last year and cannot find the actual blig post (I’d love to give her credit!). I am excited to ge tthe kids hooked on blessing others, even if it is something very small.
Jillian says
We love to drive around and look at Christmas lights. It’s one of my very favorite parts of Christmas.
Alie says
This will be our first Christmas staying home with our 15month old girl (family all live an airplane ride away). We are looking for ideas to make this year special, and love the ideas on your blog. One idea I had,(Since all of our presents will arrive in the mail), is to save the boxes and make a giant gingerbread house. Our daughter already loves to color on boxes, so decorating the house will be fun. Maybe we will put a string of lights on it. I’m excited to start some new traditions. And of course we will dress up in our Christmas pajamas :).