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Step 1
Agree to a no-gift holiday season. Not all family members may be on board with this, so use your judgment when suggesting it. Better yet, agree to a homemade-only holiday, where everyone exchanges crafted or baked goods. Aren't those gifts so much more fun to receive, anyway?
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Step 2
Invite those friends, co-workers or acquaintances who have no family to visit to come to your celebration. The holidays are a time of sharing, and what better way to spread the holiday cheer than to welcome others into your home for a hot meal and good conversation? Remember to ask them again if they haven't responded closer to the date--sometimes a shy person may not think the invitation still stands or that you've forgotten.
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Step 3
Choose nightly readings appropriate to your tradition in the 'countdown' to the holiday. Every evening before dinner, one person can read a short passage that pertains to the holiday. The Advent season is a good example of this. It is a great time to share sit-down meals with your family and celebrate the holiday with your children for the entire holiday season rather than just on one day.
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Step 4
Decorate your home with seasonal items instead of just commercial Santa Clauses and Reindeer. Bring in pine cones from outside, make a wreath out of local foliage, or hang some holly.
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Step 5
Create a new tradition. Thanksgiving is a great example of this, as many families have each family member say one thing that they are grateful for this year prior to sitting down to eat. A tree-trimming party with hot cocoa, an ornament exchange, or a popcorn-stringing party can be great ways to celebrate the season.
