Holiday Family Traditions: Ideas for New Families

This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about traditions. Now that our family has expanded, I want to start incorporating holiday family traditions into our lives that we can cherish year after year. While I might pull from my own family traditions, I also wanted to research other fun holiday rituals people do. There are so many fun and cute ways to celebrate this time of year, especially with little ones! I compiled a list of fun ideas you can steal and use with your family!

If you need a break from the family and are looking for some “me time” during the holidays, check out my 12 Days of Self-Care blog!

Holiday Family Traditions

1. New Ornament:

A simple and inexpensive way to create a special ritual for your kids. A yearly ornament can also turn decorating the tree into a fun, family event. Check out links to some cute ornaments below to start your collection:

2. Holiday Pajamas:

A common and cute tradition is to gift a new pair of pajamas for the family to open on Christmas Eve. Matching optional.

3. Nisse Hus:

Nisse Hus is a Nordic tradition that I learned about from my friend @saracovey. It is of sort of their version of Elf on the shelf. You make or buy a little house for your Nisse for December and each night the Nisse delivery a tiny gift while the kids are sleeping.

4. Food Traditions:

Whether it’s decorating Christmas cookies, hosting a Gingerbread House competition, or cooking a special Christmas morning breakfast, food holds memories. I also love leaving carrots and cookies & milk for Santa and his reindeer.

5. Yearly Game or Puzzle:

Gifting a family activity is a fun way to get everyone to hang out together even during the busy holidays. Linking some fun puzzles and games for all ages below.

6. New book every Christmas Eve:

Gifting a new book on Christmas Eve that you can read before Christmas is such a nice idea! It’s traditional an Icelandic holiday tradition. I’ve linked some book ideas for little ones below.

7. Make Your own Advent Calendar:

Finally, you can DIY-it and craft your own Advent Calendar. Make it once and use it year after year, or make a recyclable one that you can create every year with your kids! Including some inspiration below!

xo,