Holiday Traditions
The joy of the season is in sharing our time with family and friends. Here are some simple ways to create special holiday traditions and share the fun of the season
Set a time to cook your family favorites together. One family has a traditional pierogie recipe that they make together 2 weeks before Christmas. It takes all day and they spend it together.
Set a family holiday gathering time that is NOT Christmas Eve or Day. Calendar a time, such as the 2nd Saturday of December or December 26, to gather together. This eliminates stress on the holiday itself and helps families feel they can be at home for the holiday.
Instead of buying individual family gifts, host a White Elephant Swap with ornaments, holiday decor, or crazy funny gifts. Include a purchase price limit that is affordable for all family members. Not only is the game fun, this is a budget friendly way to share just a little something for the holidays.
Purchase only stocking stuffer gifts for your family. Small functional items such as flash lights, gift cards or chapstick, can be great gifts and require no gift wrap.
Host a decorating or gift wrapping party! Have all your family members decorate a different room, wrap presents together for other family members, or help with the outdoor lights. Set the music up high, serve some holiday cookies and you are all set!
Want to spend a girls night in? Host a “girls’ favorite things” party. Just like on Oprah, everyone brings their one favorite thing, from lipstick to gloves. Attendees wrap their item in a brown bag and they swap items. What a great idea for a low stress gathering of the girls!
Starting new traditions makes the holidays even more merry and bright. What family traditions are a special part of your holiday?
One of my favorite traditions growing up was baking Christmas cookies with my mom, and I enjoyed baking with my own kids when they were younger. Now that they’re grown up, my sister and I always look forward to doing our baking together a couple of weeks before Christmas.