18 Christmas Traditions That Your Kids Will Remember Forever
Do you have Christmas traditions? I love Christmas and I now have kids of my own it really makes me think what do I want to carry on from my childhood but also what new traditions do I want to make for my family.
It's funny because often people think its the big gestures and events that are the best but usually it's the simplest things that are the most magical. Like going on a night drive to see all the Christmas lights or just having the glow of the Christmas tree and reading a story or watching a Christmas movie together can be the most special.
Over the years I have heard different Christmas traditions and as a lover of Christmas films I've seen a lot of traditions but of course I've been looking for them because I want to find new ones for my kids and so I put together a list of 18 Christmas traditions that really will stay with your kids forever and they're just the collection of the ones I've heard that I think are great. There are hundreds more I know!!
There are even a bunch more that I do with our extended family that are not in there necessarily because it's harder to explain and also it depends where you come from. For instance, the idea of snow walks and coziness and all of that is a bit different to us here in Australia where it's hot. So we go outside we have carols by candlelights out in the park and we will have barbecues and pool parties and things like that which are very different but ultimately it's time spent together and if you do something for more than one year in a row it really does become a tradition.
Christmas Movie Countdown
Write a list of 12 Christmas Movie favourites and put them in a jar. Each night leading into Christmas, draw one. Cushions and pillows, snacks, twinkle lights - magic!
The Christmas Eve Bell
Hang a small bell on your child’s doorknob on Christmas Eve. Tell them they’ll know it’s morning when they hear it ring.
They’ll never forget that moment of waking up and hearing the sound of Christmas.
The Pajama Treeskirt
Save your kids Christmas pajamas every year, and when your kids are grown, you can have them all made into a tree skirt filled with your family memories.
The Christmas Library
Each December 1st, bring out a basket of wrapped Christmas books (new or old favourites). Let your kids unwrap one each night for story time. By Christmas Eve, you’ll have read your way through the season.
Candlelit Dinner
Once a year, turn off every light and eat dinner by candlelight and the glow of the Christmas Tree. It slows everything down and makes even mac and cheese feel like a magical feast.
Storytime by the Tree
One quiet night, turn off everything but the tree lights. Sit under it and read a short story together - one that feels old and classic. Kids don’t need much more than that to feel safe and seen.
Holiday Love Letters
Write a letter to your child about their year, what you’re proud of, and what you love about them. Leave it under the tree as one of their special presents. Someday they’ll have a whole collection of Christmas letters from you.
Breakfast for Dinner
One December night, do pancakes for dinner with red and green sprinkles, hot chocolate, and Christmas music. Kids love it because it breaks all the rules and that’s what makes it magical.
Christmas Light Night
Pick a night to drive around town just to look at Christmas lights. Bring christmas drinks and snacks and vote for your favourite house. You’ll never remember which house one, but they’ll remember how it felt.
Pajama Parade
Pick one evening near Christmas to gift everyone matching pajamas. Turn up the Christmas music and have a ‘pajama parade’ around the house. Dancing, Laughing and maybe some hot choc after.
A Cookie Hookie Day
Pick a random day in December, keep the kids home from school, stay in your PJs and bake all day.
Christmas Breakfast Tradition
Choose one favourite breakfast you will make every Christmas morning - cinnamon rolls, waffles, pancakes, eggs and bacon rolls. The repetition turns it from food into a forever memory.
Carols by Candlelight
Grab you picnic blankets, snacks and singing voices and head to your local carols by candlelight. Or if you can’t get there, grab some candles (fake is fine) put on the Christmas Lights and sing your own carols. If someone can play an instrument get them involved or just pop on some music.
Secret Kindness Missions
Write small acts of kindness on slips of paper (like “Compliment a stranger” or “help a neighbour with gardening”) Pull one out each day in December and do it together. It teaches joy in giving not just getting.
Christmas Tree Sleepover
Every December, pick one night to sleep under the glow of the Christmas tree. Bring sleeping bags, popcorn, and a Christmas movie. The twinkle lights, the giggles, and the quiet of the house will feel like pure magic to your kids.
The Family Ornament Exchange
Each year, everyone buys or makes an ornament that reminds them of something that happened that year. When you decorate the tree, retell those memories - it becomes a living family story.
Christmas Volunteering
As a family or with friends volunteer somewhere over the Christmas period. Whether it’s gift wrapping for a charity, or serving food or helping others with an event. Giving of your time to share with others to help others is a beautiful experience.
Letters to Future Christmas Selves
Write a short letter together each year about what made this Christmas special - what you did, what you loved, and what you hope for next year. Seal it in an ornament or Christmas box and open next year.
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Did you find some ideas that you are wanting to try? or maybe you already do some of these, I'd love to hear from you! What are your Christmas traditions?
If you want a visual version of these ideas head to my Instagram, I shared them as a post. Check it out, save and share it to someone else who might want to make Christmas magical or maybe you want to save it so that you can go back and revisit it.
Does the thought of Christmas stress you out? With all the different things you want to do, events to attend, gifts, menus, the list goes on it can be overwhelming!
I created a Christmas Planner to keep everything in the one place. Plan your events, write your lists, write down your traditions, Plan Christmas Day and even a Elf on the Shelf Planner.
If this would make your Christmas a little less crazy click below
Making Your Own Magic
The beauty of Christmas traditions isn't in doing them all, it's in choosing the ones that feel right for your family. Maybe it's just two or three from this list. Maybe it's one you create entirely on your own. What matters is the intention behind it: to pause, to be present, and to create little pockets of wonder in the everyday chaos.
Your kids won't remember the perfect decorations or the expensive gifts. They'll remember the feeling of being together—the warmth of the tree lights, the sound of your laughter, the comfort of knowing that every December, certain special things will happen again.
So start small. Pick one. Try it this year, and if it sticks, it's yours forever. That's how traditions are born—not from pressure or perfection, but from love, repetition, and the simple magic of showing up.
Here's to creating memories that glow as bright as Christmas lights and last just as long.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Bec x
