Creative Christmas Traditions

Few things provide the security and pleasure valued by children and adults alike as family traditions, particularly Christmas traditions. I have fond memories of going to my Mamaw's house every year on Christmas Eve, eating chicken salad sandwiches and Velveeta Rotel dip with Doritos, and opening gifts; and then going home and opening that, "Pleeeese, Mom, one more present…!" before bedtime. That "one more present" was always a nightgown - another Christmas tradition - that my sister and I always got to wear to bed on Christmas Eve.

My sister and I both laughed together recently about the year I hid my chicken salad sandwich on top of the refrigerator because I was so eager to open Christmas presents that I didn't want to eat! It took Mamaw weeks to figure out what that rotten smell was in her kitchen. My kids love to hear that story over and over again!

Your family undoubtedly has a few Christmas traditions as well; but if you'd like to initiate a couple of new ones, here are a few ideas…

1. Read the Christmas story. As children we were not permitted to open the first gift until the story of Christ's birth was read aloud from the Bible. It helped us to remember the reason for Christmas and maybe helped to tone down our self-centeredness just a tad (which can be difficult for children who have been encouraged for the past month to ask for anything in their heart's desire and who are about to receive a great portion of it!). This is a Christmas tradition that my husband and I have continued in our home.

2. Drive around and look at Christmas lights. My husband and I enjoy taking our kids around annually to view all the "famous" houses in our area that produce a spectacular Christmas lights display. My kids usually fall asleep before we're finished, but it's a Christmas tradition that they look forward to from the time they spy the first Christmas tree of the season.

3. Go Christmas caroling. Join up with a group of friends or church family and visit nursing homes and neighborhoods with harmonies of Christmas. This is an annual Christmas tradition for many church and school groups, so join one of them this year.

4. Have an ornament party. You could make it a neighborhood Christmas tradition or just keep it in the family. Provide snippets and scraps of fabric, ribbon, lace, glitter, and bells along with glue and other supplies for creating original ornaments. Try using a different theme each year for variety.

5. Sip a warm beverage and listen to music. Break out the hot cocoa or apple cider, turn off the lights, turn on a Christmas CD, and watch the lights on the tree twinkle. We have a saxophone CD that has become a Christmas tradition in our home.

6. Open your home to others. Select a group that your children are involved in (Brownies, Awana, church choir or ensemble, etc.) or just several "unpopular" individuals who are not likely to be participating in many Christmas traditions and festivities. Organize a simple but fun get-together in your home, and be a cheerful hostess who will make a memory for a special group of people. My husband and I once organized a scavenger hunt around the city (which ended up at our home) for a group of young people in out church. We had several games and lots of good food prepared. Many of them still remember that special time.

7. Volunteer for a charitable organization. Remember that not everyone is fortunate to have special family Christmas traditions… or even family. Demonstrate Christian service to your children by have them by your side as you donate your time and resources to a soup kitchen, gift distribution project, or food box delivery.

I hope that you are able to implement some special Christmas traditions in your home and enjoy the memories as they are passed down to future generations