Embracing Togetherness: Making December a Month of Family Connection
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I do receive a small commission from purchases made using my links.
Hey, y’all!
We all know that December can be the most joyous time of year as well as the most stressful time of the year. As the holiday season unfolds and winter's chill settles in, I want to remind you that there's a magical opportunity to pause, reflect, and prioritize what truly matters—time spent together with your family.
One powerful way to cultivate meaningful connections during all of the hustle and bustle is by establishing and nurturing family traditions. These time-honored rituals not only create lasting memories but also contribute to the overall well-being of the family unit. As the years pass, it's the shared traditions that stand out in our memories. These recurring moments, filled with laughter, love, and sometimes a touch of nostalgia, become the tapestry of our family history. These traditions create a reservoir of positive memories that family members carry with them throughout their lives. Traditions also offer a sense of predictability and routine, providing family members with a comforting anchor. This stability is especially crucial for children, as it fosters a sense of security and contributes to their emotional well-being.
50 Family Holiday Traditions to Try
If you are not sure where to start, here's a list of 50 heartwarming ways to help you make the most of this special month with your family and to create your own family traditions:
1. Decorate the Christmas tree together. Yes, I know that sometimes it’s easier for you to handle this yourself, however, the magic and twinkle that kids have this time of year only happens for a few years before it’s gone. If you need to make this process stress free, opt for kids to have their own special tree to decorate using glass-free ornaments while you decorate the main tree in the home. I also love putting on Christmas music while we decorate the house together.
2. Have a family holiday movie marathon. A few of our favorites include Home Alone 1 & 2, The Grinch and A Christmas Story.
3. Bake and decorate holiday cookies….and if you are in need of a gluten free hack, grab a pack of the double stuff gluten free Oreos, dip them in fudge, and then decorate with sprinkles and other holiday decorations that are gluten free. They’re so yummy and easy!
4. Visit a local Christmas market or festival.
5. Take a family photo in matching holiday outfits. Old Navy always has cute and inexpensive family pajamas on sale around this time of year!
6. Write and mail letters to Santa as a family. The USPS has information on how to mail a letter to the North Pole here. The address to mail letters to Santa: 23 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888.
7. Create homemade ornaments.
8. Go caroling in your neighborhood. If you aren’t sure where to go, ask on your Facebook neighborhood page on what houses would enjoy carolers stopping by.
9. Build a gingerbread house together…and if you are the competitive type, post your creations on social media to have your friends vote for their favorite…just don’t get so competitive that it ruins the fun. No one likes a Scrooge.
10. Make and exchange handmade gifts.
11. Attend a local tree lighting ceremony.
12. Host a holiday-themed game night.
13. Drive around to see Christmas lights in your town.
14. Volunteer as a family for a charitable cause, like your local food bank or toy drive.
15. Read a holiday-themed book together. We enjoy The Jesus Story Book Bible (it’s not specific to Christmas, however, it aligns well with advent), Little Blue Truck’s Christmas, and How to Catch an Elf.
16. Have a hot chocolate tasting night with various toppings.
17. Go ice skating at a local rink.
18. Create a family holiday playlist and have a dance party.
19. Take a winter hike or nature walk.
20. Host an ugly Christmas sweater get together. Sweaters like this one that light up are always a hit.
21. Host a potluck-style holiday dinner with extended family or friends.
22. Make a scrapbook of your favorite family memories.
23. Create a DIY advent calendar or follow a pre-made advent calendar. We enjoy one that follows along with the Jesus Story Book Bible.
24. Attend a local holiday concert or play, such as The Nutcracker or The Christmas Story musical.
25. Organize a family White Elephant gift exchange. My all-time favorite gift I gave one year was a “Learn to Shave” Barbie doll. I bought a cheap Barbie doll, cut and glued hair in her underarms and on her legs. Threw a razor and travel sized shaving cream in the Barbie doll box. It was a whole vibe and hilarious.
26. Visit a local nursing home or hospital to spread holiday cheer. My grandma who lives in an assisted living facility told me today how much she enjoys when people come up to decorate all of their doors for Christmas.
27. Make a wreath together for your front door.
28. Go on a holiday scavenger hunt. This would be super easy and fun. You can even turn it into a fun Bingo game.
29. Have a family picnic with seasonal treats.
30. Create a holiday-themed photo booth at home. These photo booth props are fun and would make super cute holiday pictures!
31. Take a day trip to a nearby winter wonderland location.
32. Attend a holiday-themed workshop or class. Did you know there are people who give tree-decorating classes? I didn’t either until recently and I think it would be so much fun!
33. Host a family board game night.
34. Make and hang stockings together.
35. Have a DIY gift-wrapping night.
36. Write down your family's wishes for the upcoming year.
37. Visit a local museum or attraction decorated for the holidays.
38. Have a family snowball fight…and if the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are indoor snowballs that are reusable that you can buy.
39. Build a snowman together.
40. Visit a local farm for a Christmas tree-cutting experience.
41. Make a family time capsule for the year.
42. Attend a holiday parade.
43. Host a holiday-themed karaoke night.
44. Create a family holiday recipe book.
45. Make and hang paper snowflakes around the house. I saw a picture of a family who decorated all of their windows using paper snowflakes for the winter and it was darling and it’s so easy to do together!
46. Take a scenic drive to enjoy winter landscapes.
47. Have a family bonfire with holiday treats.
48. Host a family holiday trivia night.
49. Go on a holiday shopping spree for a local charity. There are always families in need regardless of where you live. Local charities will always welcome the help and generosity.
50. Create a family New Year's resolution list together.
Of course, feel free to customize these ideas based on your family's preferences and the resources available in your community.
Remember…
In the midst of the holiday rush, let December be a month where the true gift is the time spent together as a family. These simple, yet heartfelt activities can turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, creating a tapestry of warmth and togetherness that lasts far beyond the holiday season. So, let the twinkling lights and festive spirit be the backdrop to a December filled with the laughter, love, and shared moments that define the essence of family.
I can’t wait to hear about your favorite family holiday traditions!
Be blessed my friends!
