How to Create Family Christmas Traditions

Starting family Christmas traditions is a way to bond your family together. Participating in family traditions makes family members feel part of something special. Traditions can be anything from eating specific foods, attending religious services, having family get-togethers and gift giving. What is important is the tradition is a shared activity that you do with your family year after year. Traditions can be something family members look forward to each year and can be handed down to generations to come. Read on to learn how to create family Christmas traditions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what is important to your family and what activities everyone enjoys. For example, if your family is active, consider starting a tradition of skiing or sledding on Christmas Eve. If your family loves music, make it a tradition to attend a Christmas concert. If religion is important to your family, attend worship services together.

2. Think about the values you hope to instill in your children. Start Christmas traditions that reinforce values such as thoughtfulness, generosity and the importance of family. Create family traditions that do not focus solely on gift giving.

3. Don't forget the spirit of the season. Regardless of your religious beliefs, Christmas is a time to show others you care. Keep in mind those less fortunate than you. Make it a tradition to give a donation of toys, food or money to a charity such as the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots or other worthy causes in your area.

4. Spend time together enjoying the activities of the season. Make it a yearly event to go caroling or tour the neighborhood and look at light displays. Attend a Christmas play or a tree lighting ceremony.

5. Create special meals. Ask grandparents for family recipes. Make special dishes that you don't eat everyday. Make meal preparation a family activity. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. Have a Christmas Eve pot luck dinner or a Christmas morning brunch.

6. Decorate. Make getting the family Christmas tree a special occasion. Find a Christmas tree farm and search together for the perfect tree. Let each family member buy one new ornament each year. Spend an evening together decorating the family tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember relatives who live far away. Make it a tradition to send Christmas cards and a family newsletter to provide an update on what family members are doing.

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