Family Christmas Tradition Ideas

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While Christmas at Disney sounds nice, and staying at a decked out 5 star hotel sounds great, the amount you spend doesn't always equate how amazing your memories are as a family. Some of my favorite memories as a kid didn't cost a dime, as we were a family with 6 children and simply couldn't afford anything grand. Today I'm sharing a few ways you can make the Christmas season feel special, but not break the bank doing so!

1. Neighborhood Christmas Lights


When I think of Christmas traditions, I think of being a little girl, getting in the van and scouring the neighborhood for Christmas lights. Now that I have children of my own, my husband and I have taken this up a notch. We set aside an evening and travel to neighborhoods we know have amazing light displays. After we look and ooooo and aaah over every blow up Santa or twinkling icicle light, we head to McDonalds. I am not too fond of McDonalds, myself, so my son sees this as an extra special treat when he gets to go! After driving through we come home to junk food and hot chocolate! We've done this for a few years now, and it really is my favorite Christmas tradition we do as a family!

2. Christmas Movie Night

This one might be cliche, but making a night of it, is half of what makes it special. And no, I don't mean you have to have a Grinch themed snack food bar with coordinating plates, napkins, and decor (although you could do that if you wanted to!). I mean setting aside a night and picking out a specific movie. Make it special by adding marshmallows to your hot cocoa, or making a picnic in the living room and eat supper and watch the movie. Make popcorn, talk about your favorite part of the movie, and you have a tradition that didn't take much money or thought, but that will be dripping with nostalgia for your children in years to come.

What's your favorite movie? With the kids it's A Muppet's Christmas Carol and Charlie Brown Christmas. For me it's It's a Wonderful Life. I've watched it every year, and I still cry like a baby at the end!

3. Baking Christmas Cookies and Candies

When I thought of my little boy growing up, I imagined us in the kitchen bonding over sugar cookies and sprinkles. What really happened were meltdowns and grouchiness! haha! What I've learned is that as my kids are still pretty young, to have a section of the baking and cooking process that is special to them to do. I make these delicious and easy coconut balls that my son does the sprinkles and that is all. I get it all ready and have his part set out and he really enjoys the task that is 'up to him'. He also helps cut out and put sprinkles on these delicious iced Gingerbread cookies!

4. Making DIY decorations

This area is not my forte, but making crafts with your kids can be a wonderful and fun way to make memories. If you suffer from Pinterest fails, you can always buy an inexpensive craft kit from Hobby Lobby or Amazon. I actually prefer this way, because everything you need comes with it, and clean up is normally easier too. These also can double as grandparent gifts, as they always love things made by their grands!

What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Let me know!