When you think back to your favorite childhood memories, you likely recall the yearly traditions that occurred each Christmas. From neighborhood caroling to tree trimming, Christmas traditions are the perfect opportunity to form lifelong memories with your closest friends and family. For this holiday season, initiate a new tradition with your family members that is sure to stand the test of time and be the foundation for a lifetime of fond memories.
Family Portraits
Heading to the local photo studio each Christmas is just one way you can commemorate another year gone by. Instead of traditional family portraits, opt for a more modern take on charting the growth and change in your family. For example, create a family photo tree using a cardboard cut out of a pine tree. Each family member snaps a self portrait using a timed camera, and the photos are cut into circles and serve as ornaments for the family tree.
Another option is to create a yearly hand print collage. At the family Christmas gathering, provide a large canvas and a selection of washable paints. Each family member leaves her hand print on the canvas with a signature noting her age and name. Each year, a different family member gets to take home the canvas as a Christmas gift.
Personalized Cards
Sending out holiday cards is a great way to keep in touch with family members who can’t be near during the season, but personalized cards add a sentimental touch that store bought cards can’t replicate. Since writing out dozens of personalized cards can be daunting for one family member, create a card making event with the whole family in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Provide ample craft supplies like cardstock, glue and markers and invite each family member to create several different cards that can then be signed and sent off.
If you’re wary of flexing your artistic muscles, create a basic template on a computer and invite family members to add their own personal touches to the basic outline. For example, you might design a card that has three fill-in-the-blank spaces inside like, “This year our family traveled to_______” or “My favorite part of Christmas is _____.” Each family member can fill in the blanks in her own words to create a card that keeps distant family members in the loop during the holiday season.
Christmas Wrap-Up
After the chaos of Christmas day has settled down, Christmas night provides an opportunity for families to reflect on their day and the many things they have to be grateful for. After the festivities are over, invite each family member to choose one gift that was particularly special to them. Over cups of hot chocolate, each member talks about why the gift is special and offers thanks to the person who purchased the gift.
If little ones are having a bit of Christmas withdrawal at the end of the event, institute a post-Christmas meal for the morning after Christmas. Challenge each family member to make a special breakfast item using only leftover foods from the Christmas meal the night before. Older kids will likely get creative with leftover ham and potatoes, but expect some very sweet breakfast treats from younger kids who use the opportunity as an excuse to each cookies for breakfast.
Hannah Tello - I am a high school English teacher and freelance writer from New England. I received my undergraduate degree in English from Mount Holyoke ...
Join the Conversation