The holiday season is a magical time of year. However, it can also move fast. Thanksgiving dinner is barely finished before schedules fill with school programs, shopping, travel, and events. One moment you are planning your Christmas menu… and the next you are celebrating New Year’s Eve and wondering where the time went.
We all want the holidays to feel meaningful, but busyness often takes over.
That’s why our family has learned to slow the season down with intention.
✨ Holiday traditions help us pause and enjoy the moments that matter most.
They turn the holidays from a checklist into something everyone looks forward to.
Today, I’m sharing 25+ meaningful holiday traditions and hosting ideas that have brought joy into our home. These ideas are simple, family-friendly, and designed to create connection. They have become the memories our kids talk about all year long.
Whether you want to grow your holiday traditions, start brand-new ones, or make hosting easier, this guide will help make the season much more joyful.
🎄 Our Post-Thanksgiving Family Day (Our Family’s Most Anticipated Tradition)
We began hosting a Post-Thanksgiving Family Day a few years ago. At first, it started as a fun experiment. Soon, it became something our entire family counts down to with excitement. Now, the tradition marks the official start of Christmas in our home, and everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—gets involved.
Step 1 — Pick a Theme for the Year
Every family receives a theme ahead of time and creates costumes to match. Everyone participates — toddlers, parents, even grandparents. The more creative, the better!
- Christmas Movie Characters
- Gingerbread Land
- Santa’s Helpers and North Pole Residents
- Classic Christmas Past
- Winter Wonderland Animals
Step 2 — Costume Parade & Judging
We create a fun runway and let each family give their walk, dance, or short performance. Judges score categories like:
- Most Creative Costume
- Best Overall Performance
- Outstanding Group Participation
The laughter during this part? Absolutely priceless.
Step 3 — Family Competitions for All Ages
Next comes the games! Depending on the ages in your family, you can adjust complexity, but we always include a mix that gets both adults and kids laughing and working together.
- Christmas trivia or Christmas song guessing game
- Ornament spoon relay
- Wrapping paper mummy challenge
- Snowball toss
- Cookie-decorating speed round
- Karaoke or skit challenges
Each game is worth points, and the scoreboard builds anticipation as the day goes on.
Step 4 — Crown the Winner with the Leg Lamp Trophy
Yes — the leg lamp. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Hilarious? Every single year. The winning family proudly displays it in their home until the next season, and it becomes a year-long bragging right.
Step 5 — End With a Cozy Holiday Brunch
We finish the celebration with a relaxed brunch that everyone contributes to. It’s a chance to sit around the table, share stories, and reconnect. Potluck makes it fun and stress-free.
- Homemade Apple Butter on warm biscuits
- Christmas Cranberry Mocktail
- Creamy Mushroom Toast
This day checks every box: fun, family, food, and fellowship. It has become one of the true anchors of our holiday season — something we all anticipate together.
Why Holiday Traditions Matter
Many parents wonder if their children will remember these moments. The short answer is yes. Research shows that family traditions strengthen emotional bonds and help kids feel secure. In addition, they boost happiness and give children a deep sense of belonging.
Traditions say: “This is who we are, and you belong here.”
They can even help us reshape the holidays into something more joyful and connected, especially if previous years have been stressful.
Advent Rhythms That Bring Meaning Into Each Day
In a season full of fun and activity, we love grounding ourselves with a simple nightly Advent practice that helps us remember what we’re celebrating. This might be:
- Reading a short Advent devotional
- Lighting a candle and talking about hope
- Opening a daily Advent calendar surprise
- Doing a simple craft that highlights the story of Christmas
Those few minutes in the evening slow the pace, encourage conversation, and add meaning to the anticipation of Christmas morning.
The Great Cookie Baking Day
One of the easiest traditions to start — and it delivers so much joy. We set aside a day to bake cookies together and put on our favorite Christmas playlist. The kids help mix, measure, stir, and sprinkle, and yes… flour gets everywhere. And that’s part of the magic.
- Cut-out sugar cookies
- Peppermint brownies
- Classic chocolate chips
- Gingerbread cookies
Then we package extras into gift tins or treat boxes and deliver them to neighbors, teachers, coworkers, and friends. It’s a sweet and simple way to turn excitement into generosity.
DIY Holiday Gift Baskets
Another tradition we love is assembling small holiday baskets. This can be as budget-friendly or creative as you want. Some ideas include:
- Apple butter
- Pumpkin chai drink mix
- Fresh baked cookies
- A small ornament or candle
Handmade gifts always feel special — and doing it together becomes a treasured part of the season.
Hot Chocolate Party Night
This isn’t a big event — just a cozy night elevated with a little fun. Lights dimmed, cozy blankets, a favorite Christmas movie, and a DIY cocoa bar with toppings like:
- Marshmallow shapes
- Peppermint pieces
- Holiday sprinkles
- Whipped cream towers
It’s simple, but it always feels like a celebration.
Spread Joy with Christmas Caroling
Partner with a church or local community group and visit residents in assisted-living homes or neighbors who may feel lonely during the season. Kids love being part of something that brings joy to others — and it teaches kindness through experience.
Hosting Tips That Keep Joy at the Center
If you’re hosting family this season, a few simple choices go a long way:
- Prep dishes ahead of time to reduce stress
- Keep décor meaningful, not overwhelming
- Offer warm drinks the moment guests arrive
- Have a few easy group activities ready
- Take candid photos throughout the day
Great hosting isn’t about impressing people — it’s about making them feel welcome.
10 Quick Holiday Traditions You Can Start Tonight
| Idea | Cost | Kid-Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Pajama + Christmas movie night | $ | ✔ |
| Ornament decorating | $ | ✔ |
| Christmas light scavenger hunt | Free | ✔ |
| New board game night | $$ | ✔ |
| Holiday craft afternoon | $ | ✔ |
| Donate to a local family or shelter | $-$$$ | ✔ |
| Write gratitude notes to soldiers or veterans | $ | ✔ |
| Family talent show | Free | ✔ |
| Christmas brunch with friends | $$ | ✔ |
| Photo ornament every year | $$ | ✔ |
| Buy a live Christmas tree and decorate it | $$ | ✔ |
You Can Redefine the Holidays
Some years are joyful. Some years are hard. Most fall somewhere in between. But each new season gives us a choice:
What do we want this time to mean?
Traditions don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. They just need to be intentional. Create room for laughter, rest, and moments your family will remember years from now.
Let joy lead the way this season — and watch how it changes everything.
Get My Free Holiday Family Day Game Plan!
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- ✨ Brand-new holiday recipes (family-friendly + crowd-pleasing!)
- ✨ Hosting tips that reduce stress and increase fun
- ✨ Exclusive ideas for building meaningful Christmas traditions
Plus! You’ll receive my Holiday Family Day Game Plan — a printable guide with everything you need to host an unforgettable themed family celebration… costumes, games, scoring, brunch menu ideas, and more.
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📌 How to Host Your Own Holiday Family Day
Estimated Time: 3–5 hours
Supplies: Costumes, game supplies, trophy, decorations, brunch ingredients, camera
- Choose a theme and notify guests.
- Plan 3–5 family-friendly games.
- Assign judging categories.
- Set up a runway for the parade.
- Serve a holiday brunch.
- Score the costumes.
- Play the games and tally points.
- Award the trophy.
- Take a group photo.
- Assign next year's planners.
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