36 Magical Christmas Traditions to Enjoy with Loved Ones
Make merry memories with those that mean the most.
For many of us, the ideal Christmas holiday is full of delicious recipes, decking the halls, and, of course, the search for the perfect present for each and every person on our shopping list. Most important, though, is time spent with loved ones, and one of the best ways to magnify the magic of each moment is to try out new Christmas traditions.
While many Christmas traditions in the U.S. involve gifts and food, there are plenty of other ways to make memories. You could pile onto the couch with steaming mugs of hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie (bonus points for wearing matching pajamas!), or use the holiday as a good reason to give back and donate to a toy drive or volunteer at a hospital or shelter. Feeling crafty? Get the gang together for a DIY project. Itching to head out of town? Hit up a holiday parade in a nearby small town, or spend a few nights in one of our favorite Christmas towns.
However you choose to make merry this holiday season, trying a new-to-you Christmas tradition should go right to the top of the list. You’ll build new bonds with the ones you love, remind yourself of the magic of the season, and find more than one way to stay entertained in what can sometimes be a slower part of the season.
Here are 30+ magical and meaningful Christmas traditions to make uniquely your own this year. Happy Holidays, y'all!
Do a Mason Jar Craft
It's not Christmas in the country without a bit of mason jar decor! If your family includes young kiddos, make a point to try a new DIY mason jar Christmas craft each year, then proudly display the finished products on the living room mantel.
Try the 12 Days of Christmas Gifting Approach
You know (and probably often sing!) the classic carol. For a fun twist on Christmas gifts, why not let it inspire what you give loved ones each year? If you're not sure how to interpret the lyrics for modern times, we've got some ideas.
Display seasonal greetings.
Those Christmas cards filling your mailbox absolutely deserve pride of place! For a festive look that is sure to beat a jumble stuck to the fridge, show off your happy hodgepodge of well wishes by clipping them to a garland that sits in a well-trafficked area of your home.
Visit a small town.
While Christmas is undoubtedly a delightful time to head home and hunker down with ones you love, there's something so exhilarating about experiencing the magic of an all new locale—and our favorite Christmas towns make for the perfect destinations.
Try a new twist on the tree.
Scotch pines and Fraser firs aren't the only ways to get your Christmas tree fix! For a fun new tradition, challenge yourself to find new ways to turn favorite vintage finds into decorative tree displays. Stacked in descending size and wrapped with garland, weathered flowerpots make for a pretty garden-themed decoration on a front porch.
Pack your playlist.
It's never too early to start listening to Christmas music! So go on, queue up the classics, then peruse our lists of the Best Country Christmas songs and the Best Christmas Songs of All Time for new additions this year.
Attend a holiday parade.
The 4th of July isn't the only holiday worthy of a parade! In small towns like Middleburg, Virginia, the street celebrations often include appearances from Christmas "celebrities" such as Santa Claus himself! Find one near you, pack a thermos or two of hot cocoa, and wave with the crowds.
Start a collection.
Calling all antiquing buffs! Vintage Christmas decor is such a fun thing to hunt for all year long. Pick a theme, such as vintage tinsel boxes, keep your eyes peeled for finds, then display your favorites come December.
Check the halls.
Make like Connecticut blogger Nora Murphy and incorporate bold patterns of plaid and tartan into your home decor each Christmas season. Meals will feel infinitely more festive when enjoyed atop a tartan tablecloth!
Let a goat eat your tree.
Organizations like the Philly Goat Project give a sustainably minded second life to Christmas trees by turning them into goat food after the holidays. If a similar operation exists near you, it's the perfect way to extend the magic of the holidays and spend some quality time with farm animals.
Take a hike.
Nature is beautiful any time of year, and it's good to get some fresh air and clear your head whether you live in the snowy north or the sunny south. Make it a tradition that the whole family takes a hike on a certain day in December each year.
Dress up your pet.
Your cat or dog probably won't like us much for suggesting this one, but it's guaranteed to make everyone laugh! Another idea? Feature your pet on your annual Christmas card. (Face it: It's way easier than trying to get the rest of the family organized.) Just make sure to never, ever leave your pet unattended while still dressed in his or her costume.
Make homemade hot chocolate.
There's nothing like a mug of homemade hot chocolate on a chilly winter day. Forget the watery prepackaged types and make your own with these hot chocolate recipes. These would even make a great gift, packaged with a mug and some marshmallows!
Go ice-skating.
Gather your friends for some winter revelry. Embrace the cold weather and serve up some Hot Buttered Rum with Vanilla Ice Cream Balls and your favorite Christmas cookies for an ice-skating party. No snow? No problem. Throw on a scarf and make it a porch party.
Go caroling.
Grab a few friends or the kids and head out to your neighborhood to sing a few favorites. And don't worry if you can't carry a tune; enthusiasm makes up for singing off-key!
Build a snow person.
Go ahead and feel like a kid again! Don't just send the kids out to play; you need to go out and play with them in the snow, too. Dress your snow man, snow woman, snow dog, snow cat, or snow whatever in real mittens and hats.
Host an open house.
If you don't have time for a full-scale party, host an open house so friends and neighbors can just drop in to say hello! Keep it simple, and offer easy appetizers or something like a hot cocoa bar.
Watch a tree lighting.
Can't make it to New York City for the Rockefeller Center tree lighting? Most towns around the country host an annual lighting ceremony, and many include other fun activities such as singing carols together. Bundle up and get excited about the start of the season!
Participate in an annual toy drive.
Check with your local library, community organizations, or see if your kid's school is hosting a toy drive to find out how you can get involved. Or start one in your neighborhood, making your house the collection point.
Visit a Christmas tree farm.
It truly isn't Christmas in your home until you've picked out your tree—and nothing's fresher than cutting it down yourself. Pile whole family in the car to pick out your tree at the local Christmas tree farm, which is a fun way to support local farmers, too.
Jennifer Aldrich was the editorial assistant for CountryLiving.com.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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