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If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Christmas, it’s that we cannot do all the things and still enjoy it.
Over the years, we’ve figured out which traditions actually matter most… the ones that bring us closer to Christ and closer to each other.
In this post I’m sharing some of our favorite Christ-centered, service-focused, fun family, and memory-making traditions so you can pick a few that feel right for your family (and happily skip the rest!).
FUN FAMILY TRADITIONS
These are the cozy, silly, laugh-until-you-cry traditions your kids will beg to repeat every year. Think games, movies, treats, and low-pressure activities that make being together the main event. Nothing has to be perfect; you are really just making space for connection and fun.
- Christmas Lights Pajama Drive-Thru – Wear jammies, grab treats, and drive around looking at lights.
- We like to give out Turtles to our favorite house with a cute tag (from here).
- Family Midnight Movie Night – Pick a Christmas movie and “break bedtime rules” once a year.
- Snowball Fight (Real or Fake) – Use soft indoor snowballs or crumpled white paper.
- Sledding – Spend a morning or day sledding with the family.
- Themed Family Night (Grinch, Elf, etc.) – A movie, matching snacks, and a themed activity.
- Santa Letter Night – Write letters to Santa—but add one “service wish” for someone else.
- Fancy Dinner Night – Dress up EXTRA fancy and eat a special holiday meal together (kids LOVE this).
- S’mores by the Tree – S’mores indoors or outdoors with the Christmas tree glowing nearby.
- Annual Pickle Hunt – Hide a pickle ornament; winner gets to choose a special activity.
- Hot Cocoa Crawl at Home – Try different hot cocoa flavors at different “stations.”
- Puzzle-a-Day Challenge – Work on a Christmas puzzle all month long.
- Lego + Movie Night – Build a LEGO set together while watching a movie.
- Fondue Night – Make homemade Fondue (or pick some up from Trader Joe’s) and have a night of cheese fondue, chocolate fondue with all the favorite dippables.
- Out for Teppanyaki – This is a new one we just started last year. The kids had never been, and now they are obsessed. It was different, but memorable and so delicious.
- Read One Christmas Story – Read the same short Christmas book or scripture every Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
CREATIVE + MEMORY-MAKING TRADITIONS
These are the little things that turn into “remember when” stories later on. Photos, keepsakes, yearly rituals, and simple routines help you capture the season in a way your family can look back on. They do not take a lot of time, but they help your December stand out from all the rest.
- December Daily Photo Project – Take one meaningful photo every day of the month.
- “Open When…” Christmas Letters – Write each child letters for life moments (“Open when you’re discouraged…”).
- Storybook Countdown – Wrap 24 Christmas books and open one each night. To make it more simple, add all the books (unwrapped) to a basket and open 1 each night.
- Ornament of the Year – Each child chooses an ornament representing their year.
- Christmas Talent Show – Songs, dances, jokes—anything goes!
- Family Interviews – Ask the same questions every year and record the answers.
- Breakfast with Friends – Get together and make a holiday recipe and eat it with friends. We’ve done this with Christmas sugar cookies, Aebelskivers, and Funnel Cakes.
- Reverse Advent Calendar – Instead of receiving something, add an item to a donation box every day.
- Gingerbread House Competition – Kids vs. parents, boys vs. girls, etc.
- Holiday Recipe Night – Everyone picks a recipe to make together.
- Christmas Karaoke Night – Silly or serious—bonus points for props!
- Family Year-in-Review Night – Look through photos, share memories, and talk about blessings and miracles of the year.
- Decorate Store-Bought Treats – Buy cookies or donuts and add sprinkles or frosting at home.
- Photo by the Tree – Take a quick picture in front of the tree every year, no matter what everyone looks like.
- Christmas Music Breakfast – Play Christmas music during breakfast every Saturday in December. We do this EVERY DAY in December. It’s the best!
- Ornament of the Year – Let each person choose one new ornament that represents their year.
CHRIST-CENTERED TRADITIONS
These are the traditions that help us slow down and remember why we are celebrating in the first place. Simple moments like reading the Nativity, praying together, or focusing on Christ’s life and love can anchor the whole season and bring a sweet spirit into our homes. Nothing needs to be fancy for these to feel special.
- Nativity Build-A-Story Night – Build the nativity scene piece-by-piece each night as you read scriptures about Christ’s birth.
- Christmas Eve “Shepherd’s Dinner” – A simple meal by candlelight (bread, fruit, cheese) to remember the humble setting of the Savior’s birth.
- Light the World Service Jar – Each day, draw a paper prompt with a small act of kindness to “light the world.”
- Sacred Places – Go visit special places like a church or temple
- Birthday Cake for Jesus – Bake and decorate a cake as a family to celebrate His birth on Christmas Day.
- Family Testimony Night – Share how each person has felt close to Jesus this year.
- Nativity Costume Night – Re-enact the Nativity story with costumes (simple or silly—let the kids choose!).
- Christ-Centered Advent Candles – Each week, light a candle and discuss themes like love, hope, joy, and peace.
- Jesus Stocking – On Christmas Eve, everyone writes a gift they will give Jesus this year (a habit, a strength, a service).
- “Names of Christ” Paper Chain – Make a chain with different names of Jesus and read one together each night.
SERVICE-FOCUSED TRADITIONS
Christmas just feels different when we are looking outward. These ideas are all about helping kids (and us) notice needs, give quietly, and brighten someone else’s December. They are simple and doable ways to make serving others a natural and joyful part of the season.
- Secret Service Elves – Names drawn secretly; each person serves their person all month long.
- Do-Good Decathlon – Complete 10 acts of kindness as a family before Christmas Day.
- Adopt-a-Family or Senior – Make and deliver a special basket for someone in need.
- Warmth Drop-Off – Tie scarves or gloves to trees around town with notes saying “If you’re cold, take one!”
- Thank-You Tour – Deliver small treats or cards to firefighters, police officers, neighbors, teachers, or mail carriers.
- Charity Night – Kids help choose a charity to donate to (they can contribute from their piggy banks).
- Cookie-Blessing Plates – Make cookies, pray for who needs them, then deliver together.
- Gratitude Ornament – Each person writes a gratitude note or miracle from the year and hangs it on the tree.
We wanted to make sure we had this all on a sheet for you, so we put 10 of our favorite traditions from each section and put it on a printable for you to use.
PDFs to Download
At the end of the day, our kids won’t remember how much we did, just how it felt to be together. My hope is that you’ll choose a handful of traditions you can do with intention and let the rest go. I’d love to hear which ones your family loves or which new ones you’re trying this year, so share in the comments, and here’s to a Christmas that’s a little less rushed and a lot more meaningful.
