Five Delightful Nontraditional Xmas Celebration Ideas

Tradition has its place when it comes to the holiday season and some relish certain family traditions year after year. However, other times may seem to call out for the creation of new traditions or non-traditions or creative individual takes upon honoring or celebrating Xmas. For example, a new couple or a young family might delight in developing their very own unique ways to celebrate, independent from whatever styles of celebration their parents handed down. Non-Christians might be interested in modes of celebration that are more secular. Those who are on a tight budget or just not big fans of consumer culture might be interested in modes of celebration that are less based on gifts or that revolve around homemade presents rather than store bought goods. Here are a few ideas for those who would like to try something different this holiday season, whether your something different is meant to replace more standard Christmas traditions or just complement favorite traditions with an infusion of zesty new pizazz.

1. For literary or artsy types, why not consider orchestrating an extra-special art swap instead of a more traditional gift exchange? Brainstorm or collaborate beforehand to generate some ideas or set some basic parameters for how this exchange should be handled. Personally, I love the idea of trading poetry chapbooks or other hand-designed books with fellow poets; one-of-a-kind books created especially for this occasion might even be a possibility. Other possibilities, depending upon the artistic disciplines of your circle of friends might be artist trading cards, tiny paintings, or small original collages. If those who are not artists are involved in the exchange, other wonderful handmade offerings that abound with personalized charm might include knitted or crocheted pieces or yummy home-baked treats.

2. While we're on the literary/art kick, I think that an utterly fabulous new, nontraditional holiday celebration idea would involve organizing an Xmas poetry reading or informal art gallery show. What fun! Decide upon where and when and other delightful details. Will snacks or drinks be involved with the festivities? Will the drinks involve wine, hot toddies, spiked party punch? Would you like to combine the reading or showing with a gift exchange element (see suggestion #1) or maybe even some kind of fun-filled informal auction element?

3. Think in terms of nontraditional holiday meals. Instead of the typical sit down Christmas dinner with the standard holiday fare, why not consider more of a buffet-style feast or a potluck? What about a holiday meal during which only finger foods are served? What about an Xmas dinner that incorporates favorite ethnic or specialty foods? For example, my family's lineage includes some Polish heritage and we have developed our own unique Christmas Eve dinner menu, starring pierogie, which is memorably fun, as well as being yummy.

4. Nontraditional Christmas ideas need not involve gift exchanging or dining at all, if you'd like to try something really different. How about a Christmas Eve slumber party, complete with nifty pajamas, fake séances, a horror movie marathon, and maybe even a pillow fight? How about a Christmas Day game of charades? Or a Christmas card game, for that matter?

5. Finally, another nontraditional yet very meaningful holiday idea involves giving instead of receiving. Instead of giving frivolous little material goods, choose a favorite charity or special cause to donate to in honor of the spirit of the season. Give to those who would most truly benefit from your generosity, whether your donation takes the form of money, used clothes or toys, a warm holiday meal, or the gift of your time volunteered to help serve up such a special meal.