What are some fun traditions I can start...?

Question

with my kids? This will be our second Christmas away from family. Any Idea's I would be greatful!

Answer 1

Maybe set aside an afternoon to go ice skating, or some other wintertime activity, and then head to a diner for hot cocoa or apple cider. When I was growing up, we rarely ate out, and never had fast food or take out, but a few days before Christmas we ordered pizza, and because we never had it, it was super special. I am 48, and my parents are 80+, and my siblings range in age from 43 to 52, but we all still have "christmas pizza" every year, to continue the tradition, so your kids may be doing your new routine years from now!! Have fun.

Answer 2

Traditions are very important, and REALLY fun!! What works for you will depend on what your family is like and what you enjoy. One idea that can be fast or carry you through many weeks it to explore how another culture celebrates at Christmas - even try out some of their traditions.

* Food
* Gift giving and receiving
* Service(s) in churches, synagogues or mosques
* Visiting friends and relatives

...all of these may have different meanings or importance in another culture. Having fun finding out what thing are important to others (and why) helps us better appreciate -- or re-evaluate -- our own traditions. Kwanzaa and Chanukah are two other major holidays celebrated at the same time as Christmas.

More importantly, find out where some of our own traditions started, or what our typical holiday symbols mean. The poinsetta, evergreen tree, and candy cane are just three which have a rich heritage of meaning behind them.

Have a great Christmas!

Answer 3

How about playing Santa for a family who needs a little help? Check with a local social service agency. You would probably be able to help with everything from a ham & green beans to toys & clothes. There are tons of families who just need a little help.

I don't know how old your kids are, but it's a great way to teach them about compassion and giving, as well as a great "warm-fuzzy" that you get from helping someone else who might not have anything at all this year.

With all the hype about "stuff" at Christmas and the "must-have" toys and gifts, why not show them and the receiving family how such a simple act (rather than a flashy gift) can make such a huge difference in someone's life?

Answer 4

Go shopping for a gift for a underprivileged child.
Go to a Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Play Christmas music while you decorate the tree together.
Make a paper chain with 24 green construction paper links and one red link for Christmas day. Hang the chain in the kitchen and cut off one link a day to countdown to Christmas.
Go to a tree farm and cut your own tree.
Make a Nativity Scene out of figures cut from old Christmas Cards.

Answer 5

This probably isn't a tradition like you are thinking, but I have carried on a tradition for over 10 years now.

1. Every Christmas, I give US Silver Eagle Dollars to everyone on my gift list. They always bring this up when we are together, so it has sorta become my trademark.

2. Also, I have begun buying grocery gift cards and giving them to a poor church for distribution. I just walked into Wal-Mart, bought the gift cards, and went to the church, talked to the priest and asked him to see that they went to some needy families.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Making a wreath is fun, you just take the bottom trimmings from the tree and decorate them in a circular fashion. (Hot glue gun is a good idea, but only if the kids are old enough.)

Popcorn strings. Making caramel apples. Or a Yule Log.

Answer 7

When I was a kid, I loved decorating the tree together, and having a cup of hot cocoa. Sing carols as you work.

Now I love taking my children for walks around the neighborhood so they can see all the pretty lights everyone puts up!

Stuff stockings with treats and small cheap toys. Stay in your pajamas til noon and have a movie marathon in the morning.