50 Best Christmas Traditions to Make the Holiday Season Even More Special
Let the merry memory-making begin!
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With so many beloved Christmas traditions, it’s impossible to fit them all into a single day—and luckily, you don’t have to! Create a holiday bucket list with fun activities you can enjoy all December. The annual Christmas activities you grew up with are what create lasting memories and make the holiday season even more heartwarming and nostalgic. It's never too late to start a new holiday ritual, so check out this list of the best Christmas traditions to try this year—and every year.
Ahead, you'll find ideas for a December-long Christmas bucket list. You can start by reading Christmas books, donating presents, and writing a letter to Santa. If you're in the mood for a family road trip, plan a visit to one of the best Christmas towns in the country. Just make sure your favorite Christmas songs are playing in the background!
Or take a cue from Ree Drummond and visit a local Christmas tree farm to pick the perfect live evergreen. Then on Christmas Day, pass out matching Christmas pajamas for family photos and bake cinnamon rolls to share with friends! It's already the most wonderful time of year, but this might be your most memorable holiday season yet thanks to these sweet Christmas family traditions.
Add even more Christmas activities to your list:
Host an Ornament Swap
Gather friends and family for a festive ornament swap! Each person brings a wrapped ornament, homemade or store-bought, to exchange during the party. It's a simple and joyful way to share memories and get a keepsake to hang on your tree year after year.
Have Christmas Game Night
Grab your favorite board games and let the Christmas competition begin! Whether you're acting out reindeer charades or guessing holiday movie quotes, game night will be oh so fun for everyone!
Go Sledding
Few things capture the joy of winter like a good sled ride. Find a snowy slope, pile onto the sled, and let the laughter carry through the crisp air. It's simple, nostalgic fun!
Track Santa
Come Christmas Eve, it's time to track Santa Claus as he delivers presents! Kiddos can use a computer or phone to follow Santa's journey from the North Pole, thanks to the free tracker from NORAD. The suspense is just magical!
Plan a Festive Photoshoot
Make time for a holiday photoshoot that captures the spirit of the season. Whether it's family portraits by the tree, candid shots baking cookies, or cozy outdoor moments in the snow, these festive photos become timeless keepsakes you'll look back on year after year.
Make Reindeer Food
Don’t forget to feed Santa's team! Mix oats, sprinkles, and a little edible glitter in a small bag, then have the kids sprinkle it on the lawn before bedtime. It will add so much excitement as everyone prepares for Santa's big arrival.
Give Back to Your Community
The holidays are the perfect time to share the spirit of giving. Volunteer at a local food bank, donate coats or toys, or surprise a neighbor with a thoughtful gesture. No matter how small, each act of kindness spreads warmth and reminds everyone what the season is truly about.
Take a Carriage Ride
Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a ride filled with old-fashioned holiday charm. Wave to passersby, take in the glowing lights, and snap a few photos along the way. It's an outing that delights kids and adults alike.
Take a Ski Trip
Take it from the Drummond family: A ski trip is the perfect way to make the most of the winter season—whether you're gliding down the mountain, building snowmen at the lodge, or sipping cocoa by a roaring fire. It's an adventure that's equal parts exciting and cozy.
Experience Elf on the Shelf
Add a little extra wonder to the holidays with the Elf on the Shelf tradition. Each morning, kids can wake up to see where their mischievous little elf has landed—maybe sneaking cookies, reading a story, or hiding in the tree. It's a tradition that fills every day with surprise.
Have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
It wouldn't be the holidays without donning your best ugly Christmas sweaters. Invite your whole crew to face off in their best one, and then pose for an awkward family photo that's guaranteed for a laugh!
Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar
Warm up with a steaming mug of hot cocoa! Make the task even easier by whipping up a big batch of Crock-Pot hot chocolate, then set up a station with all the toppings, including marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes.
Go for a Christmas Light Walk
Everyone can enjoy a dazzling dose of holiday magic by wearing a scarf and hat and walking around your neighborhood to see the houses decked out with Christmas lights. It's a tradition that the whole family can get behind!
Send Holiday Cards
Get all dressed up in holiday attire (or matching Christmas pajamas) and take some family photos to share with your friends and family on a Christmas card. You'll love having a memento from that particular Christmas!
Decorate Christmas Cookies
Unsurprisingly, Ree loves baking Christmas cookies. "I set aside one day and bake a few different kinds so the cookie platters will look more fun," she says. Arrange a few on a platter and pass them out to your friends and neighbors. Check out these amazing Christmas cookie recipes to choose from.
Mail Letters to Santa Claus
Turn Christmas wishes into dreams come true by enlisting your little ones to write letters to Santa this holiday season. These heartwarming notes capture the magic of Christmas for the young—or the young at heart!
Attend a Midnight Mass
What better way to honor the true meaning of Christmas than attending a midnight mass? With all the stunning holiday decorations, festive carols, and colorfully dressed churchgoers, it's one seasonal celebration you won't want to miss.
Go Ice Skating
Glide into a winter wonderland by going ice skating this holiday season! It's the perfect excuse to cozy up in your favorite Christmas sweater and sip on cider while on the rink.
Go Shopping at a Christmas Market
Make your holiday gifts as unique as the people on your list by shopping at a pop-up Christmas market. With a wide selection of handcrafted treasures, you're sure to find something special for everyone!
Count Down to Christmas with an Advent Calendar
The kiddos will love the daily surprises as you count down to Christmas with an advent calendar. Whether you buy one or get creative with a DIY advent calendar, it's a fun way to make the season even more special!
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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