Christmas Eve Family Traditions

Many families celebrate their own traditions. Some traditions have been in the family for many years, while others have just recently been put into place. Christmas is a popular time of year for celebrating family traditions as it is a time of year for family togetherness. If you are looking to start some family traditions of your own, consider one of these ideas for family traditions to celebrate on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Present

As a child, Christmas was a magical time of year. One of my family's traditions was to open one gift on Christmas Eve. We were always excited as we looked through the presents under the Christmas tree, trying to decide on which one to open. Kids often have a hard time waiting until Christmas morning to begin opening presents, making this Christmas Eve family tradition a great choice for those will children.

Christmas Lights

Another family tradition my family practiced on Christmas Eve was looking at Christmas lights. After allowing each of us to open one gift our parents would pack us up in the family car and drive us around the neighborhood to look at houses decked out in Christmas lights. I always enjoyed these drives and still continue to look at Christmas lights with my children every year.

Christmas Cookies

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the wide variety of delicious Christmas cookies to be baked or bought. Children love to help out in the kitchen when making these sweet treats, especially when it comes to taste testing. Christmas Eve is the perfect time to bake up a batch of Christmas cookies. These cookies can be handed out to family as they visit your home on Christmas and/or left out for Santa to enjoy.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Each year on the night of Christmas Eve my children help me write a little note to Santa Claus. They thank him for his generosity and wish him a safe trip as he circles the globe dispensing Christmas gifts under the trees of millions of children around the World. They place the note next to a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa to read before he leaves. My children also want to remember the reindeer on Christmas Eve as well, and so we leave a carrot on the front porch for the reindeer to enjoy. Come Christmas morning the children usually find cookie crumbs, a reply letter from Santa, and the end of the carrot sitting on the front porch.

Christmas Cartoons and Movies

There are many movies and cartoons made especially for Christmas. On the night of Christmas Eve you and your family can watch your favorite Christmas movie or cartoon snuggled under a blanket with a bowl of popcorn. My family always enjoys watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and we watch it every year. Snuggling up and watching a Christmas movie or cartoon can be a great way to get the children to unwind before they head off to bed.

Santa Radar

Did you know that you can track Santa's whereabouts on the night of Christmas Eve? A visit to Norad Tracks Santa will reveal Santa's location on Christmas Eve, letting your children know when he is getting close. This is a great way for getting the children to go to bed on the night of Christmas Eve. After all, Santa won't stop by if the children aren't in bed and fast asleep. My children and I have tracked Santa for a few years now, and it's something my children look forward to on Christmas Eve.

Attend Church

Visit your local church on Christmas Eve. This can be a great way of reminding your family what Christmas is truly about. Many churches will have special Christmas Eve services for your family to enjoy as well.

Make this Christmas Eve special, as well as ones in the future, for your family by celebrating some of these Christmas Eve family traditions. Chances are your children will grow and share these same family traditions with their own families one day as well.