Starting New Christmas Traditions: Tips for Newlyweds

The holidays are a great time for family traditions, but when newlywed couples first start out, it may be a bit difficult or overwhelming to figure out what to do on the holidays or what traditions to start or carry on. It doesn't need to be, though - in fact, it can even be fun and quite exciting.

First of all, remember the Christmas traditions your own parents formed around your family when you were younger. Even though you're starting your own family now doesn't mean you can't carry with you some favorite family traditions from your childhood! Both you and your spouse will probably hold some old traditions dear, so it's fun to talk to each other about them and even meld old traditions together, forming brand new ones for your new family.Of course, you probably want to come up with your own as well.

Think of each other's likes and dislikes, or a tradition you may have wish your family had always had but didn't. This will make it easier to come up with your own ideas as to what new traditions you can start. Listed below are also several other ideas you might want to consider.

Start your first Christmas as a married couple with an ornament exchange, and make it a tradition for each Christmas here on out. I've known some people to do this and provide ornaments as a Christmas present each year, but the way we do it is to exchange ornaments in advance so we have a chance to add it to the tree before Christmas morning. This is also a great way for newlyweds to add to a Christmas tree that may not have many decorations as it is, and build upon it each year to come. If children ever come into the picture, you can even get them in the activity of choosing an ornament to exchange with other members of the family.

Spend an evening making a gingerbread house or decorating cookies. Christmas Eve is a great night to do this, but it is a fun thing to do anytime throughout the holidays. Having Christmas music on in the background really helps add to the Christmas spirit.

Participate in a charitable even together. Not only can this become a great tradition year after year, but it's a great way to spend time together while helping someone or others less fortunate. Even if it's something as simple as shopping for a toy for Toys for Tots, it is a great tradition to put in place and something wonderful to teach and pass onto your children.

Pick a certain holiday-oriented movie you both love to watch each year. For us, it's A Christmas Story, and we watch it every year on Christmas Eve. It almost doesn't even feel like Christmas without it!

Drive around to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. Actually it's fun to do this anytime during the holidays, but it's particularly a nice way to wind down on the night before Christmas, and will be even more handy in the future if you have children. Make things even more cozy by bringing a thermos of hot cider or chocolate.

Set aside time just to spend near each other, such as cuddling on the sofa in front of the fire. This is a good tradition to start and hold for many years to come, which will help couples stay connected even in times of routine, complications, and when life tends to be hectic. It's an especially nice tradition to have around Christmas, especially if you also develop the tradition of going to see the rest of the family on Christmas day!