Christmas Traditions to Share with Your Children and Why They Matter

Think back on the Christmases of your childhood. Chances are some of your favorite memories remembered are of activities your shared yearly with your family. Christmas traditions build memories and bring your family together during the hectic holiday season. Continue some of your favorite Christmas traditions from your childhood with your own children or start something new with your new family. This article will spark some memories and give you some new ideas as well for Christmas traditions to share with your children.

Advent
Advent is a wonderful way to get children excited about and aware of the upcoming holiday. Advent allows you to spread your celebrating over the whole month of December. Advent provides you with many memory making opportunities throughout the Christmas season.

Special Services
December is full of special religious services and secular events. Large Christmas light displays, musical performances, live nativity scenes, and Christmas Eve services are just a few options available in nearly every area. You could enjoy the same annual Christmas event or let the kids pick out a couple of activities that appeal to them. Even with the wide array of options, don't miss out on the special service put on by your own local church.

Charity
Take advantage of the many opportunities during the holidays and serve through the local church and community organizations. Ring bells and sing carols for the Salvation Army, shop and pack a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child, serve a holiday dinner to the less fortunate at a local soup kitchen, deliver for Meals on Wheels, create a Christmas basket for an elderly, homebound neighbor, have a student over for Christmas dinner that is unable to travel home for the holidays, or participate in an outreach event sponsored by your local church. Such activities provide real interaction between you and your kids and help everyone get in the spirit of giving. It will also help promote a sense of thankfulness and appreciation in each family member.

Relaxing Evenings
Spend a couple Friday nights in December curled up in the living room sharing Christmas movies and sweet holiday treats. Enjoy the special Christmas movies and cartoons that come on television just once a year. Watch classic favorites, such as Its a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, from your childhood as well as new shows featuring new characters from your children's generation, such as Shrek the Halls. Planning for the evening will build excitement as well as encourage interaction within the family. Provide everyone's favorite holiday candy and at least a few homemade treats as well. Cooking the desserts with the kids provides more quality time to interact. What a great opportunity to teach your teenager Great Grandma's infamous fudge recipe.

Take in the Scenery
Enjoy both the natural beauty of the winter season and all the holiday decor and lights. Load all the kids in the car after dark. Then drive around and enjoy the scenery. Pack hot chocolate, coffee, and fresh cookies for an in car treat. Dress little ones in their warm, winter pajamas for added fun and in case they fall asleep while you're out on your drive. Make a list of fun categories to vote on before you go. Vote amongst yourselves on the best, worst, and most unusual light displays. Sing along with a Christmas CD or radio station with holiday music.

Control the Flying Paper
Don't lost the magic of Christmas morning in a flurry of festive gift wrap flying through the air. Take the time to enjoy gift opening, and make it a special part of the celebration. Maybe let everyone open one Christmas gift on Christmas Eve. Send your kids on a treasure hunt. Create a treasure map leading to hidden gifts. Wrap each child's gift in an unique paper and leave tags off the gifts. Eat a special breakfast while exchanging presents. Find a fun idea that fits your family.

Mmm Mmm Good
We can't discuss the holidays without discussing foods. Parties, dinners, brunches, and feasts, the Christmas season is full of opportunities to eat. Pick a favorite dish or two that you make yearly. Such dishes are full of comfort and memories. Get the whole family involved in the food preparation. Make it a family affair. Consider allowing a teenager to be in charge of creating a menu and cooking a course of he meal such as appetizers or desserts.

No matter what traditions you choose, remember to take the time out for them and involve everyone.