Start a new Christmas tradition

Make or buy a new ornament each year

I give my children a new ornament each year. If possible, I try to make the ornament symbolic of the year, so when they see it, it will bring back those memories. The year my boy became a big brother, I bought him a polar bear with two children on top. Every time we see that ornament we think about that time.

Pajamas party

Have the whole family change into their pajamas and play a game or watch a movie together. The Polar Express is always a hit in our house.

Date night

Let’s face it, Christmas is so busy you hardly see each and when you do, it is usually about the kids. Make some time together after the kids have gone to bed and do something you both enjoy together. Make it a fun tradition. One of my friends eat quesadillas, watch a movie and drink beer together the day before Christmas every year.

Night before X-mas box

Make a Night before Christmas Box. The box could include a Christmas pajamas, a Christmas movie, popcorn, comfy socks, some candy, a Christmas cup for the hot Chocolate.

Elf on the shelf

We only started this tradition last year. Every day the elf does some kind of prank or funny thing. It brings some comic relief to a time where the kids are expected to be good to get their presents. The kids are so excited each morning to see what the elf has been up to during the night. It can be pranks like making the milk blue or rolling down the stairs inside a roll of toilet paper.

Have a Christmas sweater night

Buy everyone in the family a Christmas sweater. The tackier the better. You all have to wear them one evening. How about going to a restaurant wearing them.

Want and need gifts

Every year the kids get so many toys and some only gets played with a few times before they aren’t interesting any more. I ask the kids to make to list, one for what they want: toys, games and such, and one for what they need: sport equipment, clothes, backpacks, underwear and so on. I ask family and friends to buy a little from each list, so we will have a balance. This way we limit the number of toys all over the house, and they learn to appreciate that things they need as well.

Secret Santa

A nice way to limit your Christmas budget if you buy presents for many friends is to do Secret Santa instead. Then everybody only has to buy one special gift instead of many. You could also have a party, where everybody opens their presents and guesses who their Santa is.