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Do you have Christmas traditions from your childhood that you love thinking about? Family Christmas traditions are a lot of fun and create a special bond with our loved ones. As the holidays are fast approaching, now is the time to start thinking about some family Christmas traditions (or any Holidays traditions) that you may want to start with your kids. But do traditions have to cost money? NOPE! Check out these 5 fun and free Christmas traditions.
Did you have any family holiday traditions when you were little? I know my family had one or two. One of which was opening just one present on Christmas Eve. I really remember that one. Another was the order in which we opened presents (taking turns youngest to oldest). But sadly, by the time I was at the age to remember traditions, most of my older siblings had moved out. (Can you say big age gap?)
Since having my own kids I have made it a goal to have a bunch of fun family holiday traditions. At the same time I am a cheapskate frugal minded and don’t want to spend a bunch of money. So we have come up with a lot of free and fun family holiday traditions that we do as a family all year round, but several of those are based around the holidays.
If you want to start some family holiday traditions, check out these ideas and then use them for your family, or just use them to inspire your own unique family holiday traditions.
Fun and Free Holiday Traditions
Every year I look forward to these traditions my family has been doing. I am super excited this year as my twins are finally old enough that I feel like they will actually understand a bit of what is going on.
First snowfall of the season = breakfast for dinner
One of my favorite family Christmas traditions isn’t actually focused on a holiday but on the weather. We live in Idaho, so we are basically guaranteed snow every year. I always wanted to make the first real snowfall (you know, where it actually sticks and doesn’t melt as soon as it hits the ground) special.
One year I decided that snowy days just make me want to have breakfast for dinner. No, I don’t mean cereal. Though I suppose I could try and pass that off as the tradition since I am always scrambling for dinner ideas last minute(#momlife).
But for reals, on the first real snowfall I make pancakes, scrambelled eggs and of course BACON for dinner. It is a special tradition that I love and is unique to our family.
Family Christmas traditions when decking the halls
When the Goof was experiencing his second Christmas (because when he was 6 months it was like whatever) we started a whole tradition when it came to decorating our home for Christmas.
I have always decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving. I love to get as much use out of our Christmas decor as possible. But when the Goof was 18 months old I decided it was the perfect time to make a Christmas tradition out of it.
Our tradition is we put up decorations while listening to Christmas music. We get the house cleaned and tree set up before dinner, have an early dinner, then we decorate the tree and talk about the different ornaments (we get an ornament on all of our vacations, etc) and then when we are done we drink hot cocoa, have cookies and watch a Christmas movie. For us we watch the original How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Free Christmas traditions and a little holiday cheer
Something my family loves to do that is free and fun is spreading a little holiday cheer. Each year, a week or so before Christmas we head out and do some caroling in our neighborhood. If I have been in a baking mood, we will bring a plate or tin of treats around to them as well.
We usually try and pick some families we know may be having a trail or some sort of hardship in their life so we can help lift their spirits. We also like to invite others to join us on our caroling night.
Check out holiday displays
My family loves to go out and check out different holiday displays around the town. This could be Christmas lights, a nativity scene, or anything else. Our area has no shortage of displays, from elaborate to simple. My kids love them all.
Most news websites will include a list of neighborhoods or displays that you should check out locally. Many large displays may also use their display as a way to fundraise, from gathering food donations, to toys, or even cash donations, so they can be a great way to give as well.
Performing random acts of service is a free holiday tradition that spread cheer
I love the idea of incorporating service into our holiday traditions. Each year we sit down as a family and decide how to incorporate random acts of service. Sometimes it is within our home, and sometimes it is in our community.
We love to do some random acts, like maybe shoveling a driveway for someone when it snowed over night, or bringing in someones trash cans. Not only does it give us a fun and free family holiday tradition, but it makes us feel good and gives back to someone else. It teaches us to embrace the the spirit of the holiday season.
Did any of these family holiday traditions inspire you? What fun and free traditions does your family have for the holidays? Share them below in the comments and maybe you will inspire someone else.
